Issuu

Vol. XIX., No. 2

•MAG Zi

FEBRUARY, 1916,

Educational Books. JAMES G. BISSET

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CONTENTS. PAGE. THE SCHOOL MUSTER ROLL

THE SINGAPORE MUTINY

PRO PATRIA MORTUI (WITH PORTRAITS)

NOTES ABOUT OLD BOYS

EDUCATION AT THE SCHOOL, 1846-51, BY THE RT. HON. SIR JAMES STIRLING

102

THREE SCHOOL CLUBS (WITH PLATE), BY WM. KEITH LEASK -

108

A DAY MINESWEEPING A VISIT TO SAKKARA -

117 -

ATTACKED BY A SUBMARINE

119

121

FROM AUSTRALIA TO EGYPT AND GALLIPOLI

124

SUU14 CUIQUE

126

SCHOOL NOTES

127

RANDOM NOTES -

129

SCHOOL FOOTBALL

132

SCHOOL LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY

133

JUDICIAL NIGHT THE FORMER PUPILS' CLUB

135 -

136

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LIFE AT A NORTH ERN UNIVERSITY

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A New Edition of Neil Maclean's well-known work has recently been Iy,'~~d{I~~~—~-+ e~~~~- 'ice' published, with Notes and Illusy / , FY~ ~La J ~ A+ ~'~ -r7C~~ trations, at the Popular Price of 3s. 6d. net ; post free 3s. iod. 1013410g - ri (home), 4s. id. (abroad).

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aberocen (Laminar SciNot titaga3ine. Vol. XIX.

FEBRUARY, 1916.

No. 2.

The School Muster Roll. Fifth Instalment. About 50 new names are added to the Muster Roll in this Instalment. The Roll would assuredly have been greatly extended by this time if only it had been possible to identify the individuals whose commissions have been recorded in the London Gazette. In it, however, Christian names are represented by initials only, and hence arises the difficulty of definite identification. The compiler has had to rely very largely on information supplied to him by those actually serving or by their friends, and he feels certain that there are many whose services have not yet been notified. Additional names for the Roll should be sent to Mr. Theodore Watt, 10 Moray Place, Aberdeen.

NOTE. —Those whose names have c prefixed have been mentioned in a previous instalment of the Muster Roll, but have since received commissions.

Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Flett, Lieutenant Alexander

(1891-92)—Royal Naval Reserve, Transport Officer. Sinclair, Surgeon (temporary) Roland (1900-02), M.B. Watson, Lieutenant Ernest F. (1897-1900)—Royal Naval Reserve. McKinnon, Roderick Alexander (1907-12)—Drake Bat-

talion, Royal Naval Division, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

Aberdeen grammar School Magazine.

The Army. REGULAR FORCES. Royal Flying Corps.

•

c Wilson, Captain Alexander Morice (1895-1906). Royal Regiment of Artillery. ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY—

Driver Minto Rodger (1881-95)—Officers' Training Corps.

Cillenders,

•

ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY—

Stott, Bombardier Andrew Herbert (1897-1903). Infantry. PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN (West Yorkshire Regiment)—

Cash, 2nd Lieutenant Ian Theodore (1898-1900)-12th

Battalion. BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT—

c Brodie, 2nd Lieutenant Henry Ross (1906-12)-4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion. CAMERON' ANS (Scottish Rifles)— c Philp, 2nd Lieutenant Robert Charles Penny (1911-12)12th Battalion. PRINCE OF WALES'S VOLUNTEERS (South Lancashire Regiment)— Metcalfe, 2nd Lieutenant Francis William (1905-11)-12th Battalion. DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE'S OWN (Middlesex Regiment)— MacLeod, 2nd Lieutenant Arnold Frank (1897-1899)-5th (Reserve) Battalion. GORDON HIGHLANDERS—

c Cumming, 2nd Lieutenant Ian (1907-14)-11th Battalion. Royal Army Medical Corps. Copland, Lieutenant (temporary) Robert Ferguson (1906-

1909), M.B. Macpherson, Lieutenant (temporary) Robert William

(1896-99), M.D. Robertson, Lieutenant (temporary) James Dewar (1894-

1905), M.B. Lieutenant (1889-94), M.B.

Simpson,

(temporary)

Alexander

Bruce

•

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Army Chaplains' Department. Cruickshank, Rev. William Walter (1895-97), 4th Class

Chaplain. Findlay, Rev. Adam Fyfe (1880-85), 4th Class Chaplain

—2nd Scottish Horse Brigade. McBain, Rev. Alexander (1900-03), 4th Class Chaplain. MacLean, Rev. Ewen (1902-03), 4th Class Chaplain. Indian Army. INDIAN INFANTRY— Foster, 2nd Lieutenant John Wilford (1911-14) TERRITORIAL

FORCE. Yeomanry.

SCOTTISH HORSE— Rennie, Trooper

Alexander Rusden (1913-15)-3/2nd Regiment. Taylor, Trumpeter Alexander (1911-15). Royal Artillery—

ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. HIGHLAND BRI GADE— C Cray, 2nd Lieutenant Andrew Paton (1903-11). ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY. NORTH SCOTTISH GROUP (For Defended Ports)—

Cardiner, James-2/2nd. Royal Engineers— DIVISIONAL ENGINEERS. HIGHLAND GROUP— Rae, 2nd Lieutenant John (1892-1903). Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant George Angus (1902-13). Cold, Sapper Alexander May (1906-12)-3/1st

Company. SIGNAL SERVICE. HIGHLAND DIVISIONAL SIGNAL COMPANY— Hay, 2nd Corporal John Geddes (1908-12). FORTRESS ENGINEERS. CITY OF ABERDEEN— Milne, 2nd Lieutenant Charles Wright (1897-1901).

Field

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine. Infantry.

ROYAL SCOTS—

Nicol, 2nd Lieutenant John Underwood (1900-01)-3/4th Battalion. SHERWOOD FORESTERS (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)— Cash, Lieutenant Rowland W. (1898-1901)--6th Battalion. CAMERON T ANS (Scottish Rifles)— Learmonth, Private David Houston (1899-1904)-3/8th Battalion. •

•

EAST SURREY REGIMENT-

Barry, 2nd Lieutenant Francis Renton (1896-1902). 4TH GORDON HIGHLANDERS-

Barron, 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Morrison (1910-13). Cooper, 2nd Lieutenant James (1908-14). Ferguson, 2nd Lieutenant Roderick Mackenzie (1912-14). Fraser, 2nd Lieutenant Ernest Cecil (1909-11). Henderson, 2nd Lieutenant William G. (1902-12). Nicholls, 2nd Lieutenant Burwood (1903-14). Slessor, 2nd Lieutenant James George (1891-96). c Strachan, 2nd Lieutenant George Henry (1909-12). Walker, 2nd Lieutenant Alexander (1879-80)—Seconded

c c c c c c

for duty with a Provisional Battalion. c Williamson, 2nd Lieutenant Norval S. (1904-07). Anderson, Private William M`Millan (1895-1902). Williamson, Private Arthur Alexander (1904-07)--3 /4th

Battalion. 5TH (Buchan and Formartin) GORDON HIGHLANDERSc Henderson, 2nd Lieutenant Graham-3/5th Battalion. 6TH (Banff and Donside) GORDON HIGHLANDERSc Fraser, 2nd Lieutenant (Rev.) Joseph R. (1884-88)-2/6th Battalion. GORDON HIGHLANDERS— Cameron, 2nd Lieutenant George Grant (1901-11). Hadden, 2nd Lieutenant Charles Strachan (1903-08). c Kelly, 2nd Lieutenant Francis Charles (1905-14). c Mackay, 2nd Lieutenant Harry William Mackintosh (1910-14). c Morrice, 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Mackay (1904-10).

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine. c c

Saunders, 2nd Lieutenant Charles Edward (1902-14). Wark, 2nd Lieutenant Hugh Alexander (1909-12).

QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS—

Doak, 2nd Lieutenant James Kidd Robertson (1898-1902).

INNS OF COURT OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS— •

Johnston, Alexander Francis (1897-1903). Simpson, (Rev.) Cecil Barclay (1898-1902). Taylor, John Ogilvie (1897-99). Royal Army Medical Corps. HIGHLAND FIELD AMBULANCE—

Walker, Private (Rev.) Vane (1904-05)-4/1st II.F.A. SANITARY SERVICE—

Porter, Lieutenant Douglas London Company.

(1897-1902),

M.B.-2nd

Unit U nascertained— Mollie, (Rev.) George Bennet Thomson (1887-1897). British Red Cross Society.

Smith, Henry Elkington (1887-88), M.D.—Officer in charge, Ryecroft Hall Auxiliary Hospital. Reserve. Caird, Lieutenant George Charles (1878-82) (late R.G.A.), Officer in charge of Naval Patrols (South Western Division) Coast Guard. National

•

COLONIAL AND OTHER TROOPS. AUSTRALIA—

Anderson, Frank R. (1893-96). Margetts, Sergeant Patrick Grant (1896-99)-23rd Battalion, 6th Infantry Brigade. CANADA—

Anderson, Private Allan C. (1907-12)-10th Field Ambulance, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Hunter, Captain Charles (1891), M.D. Johnstone, Private Charles (1884-89)—Canadian Mounted Rifles. Taggart, Private George Charles (1897-1900)--82nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

EGYPT—

Clarke, Captain James Bryce (1896-99)—Egyptian Labour Corps.

INDIA—

Walker, Armourer Sergeant John Montgomery (1881-90) —Northern Bengal Mounted Rifles. Allan, Trooper David Sinclair (1906-07)—Northern Bengal Mounted Rifles. ZEALAND— NEW Mortimer, Sapper George (1894-96)—N.Z. Field Engineers, Signal Section. •

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS AND MALAY STATES—

Horne, Private Arthur Robert (1903-05)—Malay States Volunteer Rifles.

The Singapore Mutiny. [To the Editor of the Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.]

Sir, —I regret to learn that the extract from my letter relating to the death of Dr. Angus Forsyth Legge, which was published in your issue of June, has given rise to a certain amount of misconception. It would appear. that some at least who read that letter came to the conclusion that when Dr. Legge offered to take coulmand of the Stretcher party in place of his married brother officer, the latter heard the offer and accepted it, making way for Dr. Legge. This is not so. The offer was not made in the other officer's .hearing, and, in fact, he first learned it from me some hours later, after Dr. Legge had been shot. When he made way for Dr. Legge he did so simply, as he thought, in obedience to the instructions of the Senior Medical Officer. I shall be much obliged if you will kindly give this letter a place in your next issue, as I am anxious to remove a misapprehension for which I much regret I was unwittingly responsible.—Yours faithfully, W. R. C. MIDDLETON, M.D. M UNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICE, SINGAPORE, 8th October, 1915.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Pro Patria Mortui. * Indicates Member of the Former Pupils' Club.

James 1Datitbram rown (1909-11), Private, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, died of wounds in hospital at Boulogne on 21st January, aged 19. He enlisted in the Gordons at the outbreak of the War and was subsequently chosen as one of the Sniper Section. He received a gunshot wound in the head while in the act of firing, and died in hospital a few days later. James lbarnev earlanb* (1900-02), Lieutenant, 5th Bat talion Gordon Highlanders, died of wounds in France on 12th November, aged 29. He was wounded while on patrol duty along with a few chosen men who had been ordered to get a sample of the barbed wire used by the Germans. Previous to the War he assisted his father, Major Thomas Garland (also a Former Pupil of the School), in the management of the farm of Ardlethen, Ellon. At the commencement of the War he was a private in the Ellon Company of the Gordons, and was for a time with the Battalion in training at Bedford. He was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the 2/5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders on 24th November, 1914, and was sent to the Front about ten months later. The Major of his Battalion wrote of him that he was beloved by everyone. " I can most forcibly assure you of this, for he was one of my trusted officers from the time he joined us out here. The officers and men admired his high character, his great courage, and his able soldierly qualities. He was a great influence among the men."

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Gorbon IDCall aAmlll'0* (1908-13), Private, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, died in Belgium on 2nd October, aged 20. From the Grammar School he entered Marischal College as a student of medicine, and he had just passed his first professional examination when the War broke out. He was a member of the School Company of the 4th Gordons and crossed to France with the Battalion in February. His furlough was almost due when the great advance of 25th September took place. In it he was wounded and taken prisoner, and he died in a hospital in Belgium a few days later. He was the best shot in his company and was chosen to act as a sniper. An Old Boy who knew him intimately for years, and served along with him in the trenches, writes : " The most remarkable thing about him was his unfailing cheerfulness and good humour. I don't re-

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine. member ever having seen him angry. He was ever ready to help along someone less fortunate than himself, ever ready to say a cheery word to anyone needing comfort. At the Front this gift of his acted like a tonic on the rest of tis. After a weary spell in the trenches, after a long and tedious march, after a terrible bombardment, we were sure to hear Gordon's cheery voice, and the fact that the danger and hardships had left him undismayed and not dispirited made us resolved to be likewise. He liked us all to share his pleasure. When parcels came from home—and how eagerly we all looked forward to our home parcels—he was not content unless his had been shared amongst us." He was indeed a lovable fellow.

Oliver %t 3obn Mem (1881-86), D.S.O., Major, 62nd Punjabis, Indian Army, was killed in action at the Persian Gulf on 21st January, aged 41. After passing through Sandhurst he obtained a commission in 1895, being placed on the unattached list for the Indian Army. He was gazetted to the Indian Army in March, 1896, and his promotions came in April, 1897 (lieutenant) ; January, 1904 (captain) ; and January, 1913 (major). In the South Africa War he was employed for a time on the Staff for Special Service. In 1902 he served with the Mounted Infantry and took part in the operations in the Transvaal. Cape Colony and the Orange River Colony, for which he received the Queen's medal with four clasps. In the Tibet campaign (1903-4) he fought at Niani, and took part in the march to Lhassa. He was decorated with the Tibet medal and clasp. In November, 1914, the 62nd Punjabis left India for France, but when Turkey declared war, the regiment was stopped in Egypt, and it remained there until last June. It took part in the defence of the Suez Canal at Serapeum and Tussum, and it was for his services in this region that Major Skeen received (in October) the D.S.O. In June the regiment

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

went to Aden, whence in December it left for the Persian Gulf. Major Skeen was one of six brothers educated at the Grammar School. A note about another of these, Brigadier-General Andrew Skeen, appears on page 92. Recommended for the Victoria Cross.

ulltIttam George (1Rae) 5111itb*(1897-1904), Lieutenant, 21st Divisional Cyclists, was killed in action in France on 26th January, aged 26. His major has written that he lost his life in saving a wounded man and that he has been recommended for the Victoria Cross. After leaving the School he farmed for a time in New Zealand and explored in New Guinea, Fiji, and the South Sea Islands. He organized a small expedition through Patagonia, riding from Punta Arenas to Buenos Aires, his report on this journey appearing in the Royal Scottish Geographical Society's Magazine. He went to Rhodesia when 21 years of age and returned to enlist when war broke out. First he joined a New Zealand Corps, but left it for the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, and drove an ambulance for three months on the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Belgian front. In January, 1915, he joined the Horse Artillery, but a week later received a commission in the 10th King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry). Afterwards he was transferred to the Cyclists, and went to France in September last. His leave was due on 16th January, but he postponed it to carry through a "scheme." Referring to this he wrote home, "Every one says I'm a fool to put oT my leave, but what's the good of leave if you haven't done something worth while ? If I come through this it may mean a Military Cross." His brother, Lieutenant Charles Theodore Smith (1890-98), 3rd Dragoon Guards, died of wounds at Boulogne on 14th May, 915 (see Magazine, June 1915, p. 151).

Campbell Ildinbaar %mitt)* (1889-91), Lieutenant, 8th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, died in Flanders on 10th Novem-

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

ber, from wounds received the same day. He was gazetted to the 8th Gordons in October, 1914, but from April to October, 1915, was attached to the 11th ordons. On 3rd October he went to the Front to rejoin the 8th Battalion and was killed during a reconnaissance for which he had volunteered. He was buried in the cemetery at Kortevilde, five miles south-east of Ypres Smith was an accomplished artist, devoting himself particularly to portrait painting, and had exhibited pictures at the Royal Academy, the Royal Scottish Academy, and other leading exhibitions. He was 36 years of age. A BROTHER ARTIST'S TRIBUTE. One of the deplorable effects of the present war is that the average person becomes callous to everything but what immediately concerns himself. The death in France, on 10th November, of Campbell Lindsay Smith came as a great blow to all his associates, and especially to his brethren in the painting profession. All of them will admit whole-beartedly that his early and tragic death is a genuine loss to Scottish art ; for he was doing work which, especially in portraiture, bad few superiors in Scotland. How hard it seems that the artist who had passed through the struggling period which we all must experience, and was getting well-deserved recognition, should be cut off so prematurely from the life and work that he loved so well. All his artist friends know how much he loved his work ; his curiously nervous temperament made him very critical of work which did not appeal to him; yet he was an excellent critic for a brother artist. His artistic aims were always of the highest, and he cared nothing for popularity so that he followed his own ideal. A most cheerful companion, he will be missed by all. The Grammar School should feel proud to have had C. Lindsay Smith as a pupil, and his death on the field of battle enhances and immortalizes the honour. ALLAN SUTHERLAND. 3oeepb C. Stewart (1886-87), 2nd Lieutenant, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, attached 33rd Cavalry, was killed in action at the Persian Gulf on 7th February. Before the War he was engaged in tea planting in South India.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

The dates given in parentheses after names indicate the sessions of attendance at the School. Military Honours and Rewards. COMPANIONS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER. Major Alexander Lyon (1893-1902), of the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, received the D.S.O. in January. He was in command of the Battalion, with the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, at the fighting at Hooge on 25th September. He subsequently received an appointment as a Staff Captain at Headquarters of the 8th Infantry Brigade. Major William Rae (1888-1900), of the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion (The Canadian Scottish), also received the D.S.O. in January. He is a graduate in Arts and Law of Aberdeen University, and before the war was engaged in business in Vancouver, British Columbia. He came over with the First Canadian Contingent and took part in the second battle of Ypres, when asphyxiating gas was used for the first time and the 3rd Brigade of the Canadian Division was left " in the air " through the compulsory retirement of the French. The Canadian Scottish, with another Battalion, were ordered to re-capture four British 4.7 guns which had been taken by the enemy, and this they did after a charge which has become famous. Of the 27 officers who went into the attack only nine came out, Major Rae being one of the nine. In the Official Story of the Canadian Expeditionary Force recently published under the title of " Canada in Flanders," Major Rae is referred to by name in connection with what is known as " The Attack on the Orchard " on 20th May:— "The attacking detachment, under Major Rae, consisted of two companies of the Canadian Scottish. . . . Promptly to the minute, the guns ceased, and the two companies of the 16th Canadians climbed out of their trenches to advance. . . . As the advance was carried out in broad daylight, the movements were at once seen by the Germans, and immediately a torrent of machine gun, rifle fire, and shrapnel was

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

directed upon our troops. Their steadiness and discipline were remarkable, and were greatly praised by the officers of the Coldstream Guards who were on our left. " When they reached the edge of the Orchard an unexpected obstacle presented itself in the form of a deep ditch, and on the further side a wired hedge. Without hesitation, however, the men plunged through the ditch, in some places up to their necks in water, and made for previously reconnoitred gaps in the hedge. . . . Three platoons cleared the Orchard, while a fourth platoon, advancing toward the north side, were hampered by a very awkward ditch, which forced them to make a wide detour, so that they did not reach the Orchard until its occupation was complete. . . . The casualties in proportion to the number of men employed in the attack, were heavy for all engaged, but the position was a very important one, and had twice repulsed assault by other regiments. . . . `The 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) included detachments from the 72nd Seaforths of Vancouver, the 79th Camerons of Winnipeg, the 50th Gordons of Victoria, and the 91st Highlanders of Hamilton ; so all Canada, from Lake Ontario to the Pacific Ocean, was represented in the Orchard that night [under Major Rae]."

•

Major Rae has recently been appointed commandant of the Divisional School organised at the Front for the training of Canadian officers. Major Michael Balfour Hutchison Ritchie (1897-98), M.B., of the Royal Army Medical Corps, was the third F.P. to receive the D.S.O. in January. He has been engaged on Staff work at General Headquarters in France. He passed into the R.A.M.C. in 1905, and was promoted Captain in 1909, and Major in 1915. He served in the North-West Frontier of India in 1908 with the Mohmand Field Force, and was in this connection mentioned in dispatches. Major Oliver St. John Skeen (1881-86), of the 62nd Punjabis, Indian Army, received the D.S.O. in October for meritorious service at the Suez Canal. He was killed in action at the Persian Gulf on 21st January, 1916. An obituary notice appears on page 85. THE MILITARY CROSS. The following were in January awarded the Military Cross : -Captain Wilfrid Philip Barron (1896-1903), A.M.Inst.C.E., Highland Divisional Engineers (T.F.). Major William Bisset (1895-1903), Highland Divisional Engineers (T.F.). Captain Robert Forgan (1898-1908), M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps (Special Reserve). Captain William T. Henderson (1898-99), Seaforth Highlanders (Service Battalion). Second Lieutenant Alexander Gunn MacNeill (1905-09), Highland Divisional Engineers (T.F.).

00.

es.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

LA CROIX DE GUERRE. Malcolm Macleod (1909-10), Lance-Corporal, Life Guards,

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has been awarded the French decoration, " La Croix de Guerre." He was previously mentioned in dispatches and in June was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for rescuing, under heavy shell fire, his wounded troop sergeant, who lay between the British and German lines. After this he carried a message to the General when all the telephone wires were cut. He won the French decoration about the beginning of November last. Mentioned in Dispatches.

The following name appeared in General Sir Ian Hamilton's Dispatch of 22nd September, 1915, published on 5th November :— Grant, Major Henry Frederick Lyall (1888-95), Royal Artillery—•on the General Headquarters Staff. The following twenty-one names appeared in FieldMarshal Sir John French's Dispatch of 30th November, 1915, published on 1st January, 1916:— Barron, Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Wilfrid Philip

(1896-1903), Highland Divisional Engineers (T.F.). Bisset, Second Lieutenant (temporary Major) William

(1895-1903), Highland Divisional Engineers (T.F.). Bower, Lieutenant-Colonel Ceorge Haddon (1881-87), Gordon Highlanders (T.F.). Bruce, Major Robert (1886-89), Gordon Highlanders (T.F.). Crawford, Captain Kenneth Hugh (1898-99), Royal Innis-

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killing Fusiliers. Forgan, Captain Robert (1898-1908), M.B . R.A.M.C. (S R.). Geddes, Temporary Second Lieutenant Godfrey Power (1903-11), Gordon Highlanders (Service Battalion). Clegg, Lieutenant Robert (1911), Highland Divisional Engineers (T.F.)—(killed). Henderson, Temporary Captain William T. (1899), Seaforth Highlanders (Service Battalion). Laing, Second Lieutenant Wallace (1906-07), Royal Field Artillery. Lumsden, Major Alfred Forbes (1887- 1), Royal Scots.

Aberdeen Oranzmar School Magazine.

Lyon, Captain (temporary Major) Alexander (1893-1902), Gordon Highlanders (T.F.). MacNeill, Second Lieutenant Alexander Cunn (1905-09), Highland Divisional Engineers (T.F.). Miller, Captain J. Bruce (1876-80), City of Aberdeen Fortress Engineers (T.F.). Rae, Major William (1888-1900), 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion. Ritchie, Major Michael B. H. (1897-98), M.B., R.A.M.C. —on the General Headquarters Staff. Smith, Major Alexander C. Nicol (1880-88), Highland Divisional Train, Army Service Corps. Stewart, Temporary Captain James Smith (1901-08), M.B., R.A.M.C. (second time " mentioned "). Thom, Temporary Second Lieutenant Alfred Marshall (1900-01), Gordon Highlanders. Ward, Temporary Lieutenant William Arthur B. Kirwan (1895-1902), Second Lieutenant, London Signal Company— (died of wounds). Williamson, Captain Maurice Joseph (1894-1903), M.B., R.A.M.C. The following names appeared in General Sir Ian Hamilton's Dispatch of 11th December, 1915, published on 28th January, 1916 :— Macquarrie, Captain John (1888-89), M.B., R.A.M.C. (T.F.). Rennie, Captain Patrick Manson (1895-1901), M.B., Indian Medical Service, attached 1/5th Gurkha Rifles. Skeen, Colonel (temporary Brigadier-Ceneral) Andrew (1881-86), 24th Punjabis—on the Staff of the Australian and New Zealand Forces (second time " mentioned "). Outstanding Staff Work at Gallipoli. Brigadier-General ANDREW SKEEN (1881-86) was specially mentioned in a remarkable passage of General Sir Ian Hamilton's Dispatch of 11th December, 1915, describing the operations at Anzac and Suvla Bay in the Gallipoli Peninsula:— "On the nights of the 4th, 5th, and 6th August the reinforcing troops were shipped into Anzac very silently at the darkest hours. Then, still silently, they were tucked away from enemy aeroplanes or observatories in their prepared hiding places. The whole sea route lay open to the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

view of the Turks upon Achi Baba's summit and Battleship Hill. Aeroplanes could count every tent, and every ship at Mudros or at Imbros. Within rifle Sre of Anzac's open beach hostile riflemen were looking out across the JEgean no more than 20 feet from our opposing lines. Every modern appliance of telescope, telegraph, and wireless was at the disposal of the enemy. Yet the instructions worked out at General Headquarters in the minutest detail (the result of conferences with the Royal Navy, which were attended by Brigadier-General SKEEN, 3f General Birdwood's staff) were such that the scheme was carried through without a hitch. " The preparation of the ambush was treated as a simple matter by the services therein engaged, and yet I much doubt whether any more pregnant enterprise than this of landing so large a force under the very eyes of the enemy, and of keeping them concealed there three days, is recorded in the annals of war."

Temporary Surgeon-General Sir WILLIAM WATSON CHEYNE (1863-68), Bart., R.N., M.B., C.B., Honorary Surgeon-inOrdinary to the King, was on New Year's Day appointed a Knight of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (K.C.M.G.). Major FARQUHAR MCLENNAN (1888-90), M.B., of the Royal Army Medical Corps has been appointed Deputy Assistant Director-General of the Army Medical Service at the War Office. Sir GEORGE S. Gies (1860-65), LL.B., has resigned his appointment as an additional civilian member of the Army Council and superviser of Army contracts. JAMES W. MILNE (1884-95), C.A., known to all Old Boys as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Former Pupils' Club, has been appointed by the Ministry of Munitions one of the staff of chartered accountants formed under the Munitions of War Act, 1915, to deal with the limitation of profits of controlled establishments. He is at present stationed in London, and arrangements have been made that the work he has for so long undertaken on behalf of the F.P. Club shall be carried on during his absence from Aberdeen. FRED W. GALLOWAY (1893-97), of the Indian Police Force, was in December called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple. FREDERICK WISHART (1897-1906), M.A., LL.B., of the Inner Temple, has passed the final examination for the English Bar. WILLIAM FENWICK NEWLANDS (1905 -09) has passed the final examination of the Chartered Accountants of Scotland. JOHN A. THOMSON (1894-95), classical master at Fraserburgh Academy, has been appointed headmaster of Rathen Public School, Aberdeenshire, in succession to another Old Boy, JOHN JACK, M.A. (1865-67).

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

CHARLES HARVEY SIMPSON (1897-1909), M.A., has been appointed an interim member of the staff of the Aberdeen Grammar School. JAMES WESTLAND ROSE (1881-86) has been inducted minister of Lewes English Presbyterian Church in the South London Presbytery. Rev. JoHN SMITH (1849-54), M.A., D.D., of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, celebrated his ministerial jubilee in October. He is one of the rapidly diminishing number of Old Boys who attended the School during the rectorship of Dr. James Melvin, and is a devoted member of the Former Pupils' Club. A letter from him, dealing with Melvin and Geddes, appeared in the Magazine about sixteen months ago. In a recent issue of The Times Literary Supplement there appeared in adjoining columns reviews of books by two Old Boys who were classfellows at the School, namely, Rev. Principal PETER TAYLOR FORSYTH (1859-64), M.A., D.D., and Professor WILLIAM LESLIE DAVIDSON (1860-64), M.A., LL.D. The work of the former is " Theology in Church and State " (Hodder and Stoughton), and the work of the latter is " Political Thought in England: The Utilitarians, from Bentham to J. S. Mill " (Williams and Norgate's Home University Library). Rev. JAMES NICOLL OGILVIE (1872-76), M.A., D.D., of New Greyfriars Parish, Edinburgh, is the author of " The Apostles of India," recently published by Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton. JAMES H. CLARK (1888-92), M.A., of Aberlemno U.F. Church, has been appointed colleague and successor at St. Cyrus U.F. Church. EDWIN MORGAN (190642) and GORDON CRAIG DUFFUS (1904-05) are at present in the service of the Canadian Bank of Commerce at Kamsack, Saskatchewan. In November they were very busy attending to the foreign farmers, who had had a bumper crop. " To be able," says Morgan, " to talk to everyone in this part of the country one would require a smattering of every European language along with Chinese and Indian." GEORGE A. WILLIAMSON (1904-12) and WILLIAM I. STEPHEN (1906-14) were among the successful candidates at the November competitive examination for Indian Army cadetships at Wellington, India. Portraits of the four sons of Mr. Walter A. Reid, C.A., Aberdeen, appeared in a recent issue of the Graphic in illustration of the fact that the service instinct runs in some families. The names of these four Old Boys are Captain CHARLES COOK

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REID (4th Gordon Highlanders), Captain JAMES MESTON REID (West Lancashire Royal Engineers), 2nd Lieutenant WALTER ALEXANDER REID (R.F.A.), and 2nd Lieutenant EDWARD BIRNIE REID (R.F.A.). There must, however, be

several other families represented in the Forces by four Former Pupils of the School. Three families at once suggest themselves : —(1) the MCKENZIES, represented by KENNETH PIRIE MCKENZIE (R.A.M.C.), JOHN MOIR MCKENZIE (R.A.M.C.), THOMAS BEST GIBSON MCKENZIE (Gordon Highlanders), and CAMPBELL GRANT MCKENZIE (Gordon Highlanders)—all holding commissions; (2) the HAYS, represented by Lieutenant MATTHEW HAY (Royal Garrison Artillery), Captain JOHN CRAWFORD HAY (Motor Machine Guns), Trooper ANDREW STIRLING HAY (King Edward's Horse), and Private ROBERT CRAWFORD HAY (Penang) ; and (3) the WILLIAMSONS, represented by Captain ALFRED J. WILLIAMSON (R.A.M.C.), Captain WILLIAM BEVERIDGE WILLIAMSON (3/4th Gordon Highlanders), 2nd Lieutenant NORVAL STEWART WILLIAMSON, (3/4th Gordon Highlanders), and Private ARTHUR ALEXANDER WILLIAMSON (3/4th Gordon Highlanders). Captain JAMES B. CLARKE (1896-99), formerly Registrar of the British Red Cross Hospital at Alexandria, is now Captain in the Egyptian Labour Corps. In a cheery letter written from Suvla in mid-December he says:—" I am at present on old Gallipot, and it's not exactly a health resort, what with torrential rain, snow blizzards with 15 degrees of frost and high explosives coming at you all the time. I don't think I have seen worse weather in Aberdeen and had not seen snow for ten years. . . . It is useful in these days to be a 100 yards man. I know exactly what I can do it in with an offshore and an onshore wind, when the high explosive begins." DAVID STRACIIAN (1893-1902), who before the war was an accountant in Johannesburg, served under General Botha in the South-West African Campaign. He has since returned to this country and has obtained a commission in the Royal• Field Artillery. MINTO R. GILLANDERS (1881-95), principal science master in Elgin Academy, is training in London for the Royal Horse Artillery. In a recent letter he writes :—" I have been told my work will be connected with the detection of the position of enemy guns by means of sound. The work I expect will be most interesting. At present the training is very strenuous as all our instructors are Regulars, who behave as such." Lieutenant ALEXANDER FLETT (1891-92), R. N. R., was stationed on a man-of-war in the Suez Canal when the Turks made their attempt on it. He is now on the Naval Staff, stationed at Boulogne.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

2nd Lieutenant DAVID EDWARDS (1903-09), Royal Artillery, is at present stationed at Rangoon. ERNEST R. HORNE (1912-15) recently qualified as a wireless operator, and now holds an appointment on board a ship on Government service. ARNOLD F. McLEon (1897-99), who has been for seven years in the service of the London and River Plate Bank at Montevideo, came home a few months ago and joined the Inns of Court O.T.C. He subsequently received a commission in the Middlesex Regiment. When writing in December he said that so far he had met no F.P.'s, but added, " as I have run against them in all sorts of out of the way places in South America, it is a practical certainty that they are here too ! " Rev. C. G. MACRENZIE, B.D., minister of Methlick, has now resumed his ministerial duties, after serving for six months at the Front as chaplain with the 10th Cameronians. Rev. ERNEST D. LoGIE DAMSON (1892-94), who is a chaplain at Seremban, F.M.S., is acting as drill instructor of the local Volunteer Civil Guard. Many will recall his enthusiasm as a private and eventually as colour-sergeant of U Company, 1st V.B.G.H. Captain ANDREW BAXTER (1882-86), M.D., has been appointed a Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services, Mounted Division. He was formerly attached to the Cheshire Yeomanry. Colonel CIIARLES W. PROFEIT (1884-87), M.B., has also been appointed a Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services. Captain ALEXANDER MORICE WILSON (1895-1906) has been appointed a Flying Officer in the Military Wing of the Royal Flying Corps. He was formerly in the 4th Gordon Highlanders, and was wounded at the Front in the spring of last year. Lieutenant ALFRED MARSHALL THOM (1900-01) has likewise transferred from the Gordon Highlanders to the Flying Corps, and is undergoing training in it. EXTRACT FROM AN OLD BOY'S LETTER :—" The Magazine is a constant joy to me. Why don't you bring it out weekly—or daily ?" Editorial Note.

Articles, extracts from diaries, or letters from F.P.'s on active service, giving an account of their experiences, will be most welcome for publication. There ought to be no difficulty now in getting something to write about for the Magazine.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

MARRIAGES. (1881-85).—At St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Pretoria, Transvaal, on 21st December, 1915, DAVID ANDREW Shinn, J.P., of Erasmus, Transvaal, son of the late Mr. John Smart Smith, Northern Agricultural Company, and of Mrs. Smith, 9 Richmondhill Place, Aberdeen, to Zoe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Kidd, of Erasmus, and grand-daughter of the late Professor George Pickford Kidd and Mrs. Kidd, of Kimberley. GORDON (1882-85).—At St. George's, Hanover Square, London, on 29th January, CHARLES GORDON, eldest son of the late Charles Gordon and Mrs. Gordon, of Rubislaw Green, Aberdeen, to Dorothea Gertrude, daughter of Sir David and Lady Ferrier, of 34 Cavendish Square, London, W. GREIG (1882-87 and 1893-96).—At the Imperial Hotel, Aberdeen, on 26th November, GEORGE WILLIAM GREW G. W. Greig and Co.), younger son of J. Milne Greig, London, to 11 ary, youngest daughter of George Morrison, Banchory-Devenick. MI0HIE (1886-94).—At Cockburn Hotel, Edinburgh, on 23rd October, ARTHUR C. MICHIE, D.Sc., Newcastle-on-Tyne, fourth son of Charles Michie, M.A., Aberdeen, to Jeanie, daughter of the late James Mackenzie, Elgin, and Mrs. Mackenzie, 140 Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh. SMITH (1889-97).—At the Parish Church of Udny, on 15th December, HAROLD EDGAR SMITH, M.B., Ch.B., Captain, R.A.M.C. (T.F.), to Nancy, elder daughter of the Rev. Alex. Spence, D.D., Udny. SMITH (1890-1902).—At Regent Square Presbyterian Church, London, on 10th December, LEONARD J. SMITH, 2nd Lieutenant, 51st (Highland) Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers, British Expeditionary Force, to Heloise Constance, youngest daughter of James Barron, M.Inst.C.E., 46 Carden Place, Aberdeen. IRVINE-FORTESCUE (1892-97).—At St. James's Church, Piccadilly, London, on 5th February, Captain ARCHER IRVINE-FORTESCUE, Royal Army Medical Corps, eldest son of Dr. W. Irvine-Fortescue, and of Mrs. Irvine-Fortescue, of Kingcausie, Kincardineshire, and Swanbister, Orkney, to Ruth Olive, eldest daughter of Henry Boddington, and of Mrs. Boddington, of Pownall, Wilmslow, Cheshire. ANDERSON (1893-96).-In October, FRANK R. ANDERSON, Australian Contingent, Egypt, second son of Alexander Anderson, 54 Victoria Street, Aberdeen, to Ida, daughter of John French, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. KESSON (1893-98).—At St. Mary's Ferry, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, on 19th January, WILLIAM MENZIES KESSON, only surviving son of the late William Menzies Kesson, stonecutter, Aberdeen, to Katherine T. Watson, third daughter of the late Robert Watson, St. Mary's Ferry, N.B., Canada. GILLESPIE (1894-99).—At Cape Town, on 1st December, GAVIN G. A. GILLESPIE, Standard Bank of Africa, Rhodesia, to Jane Grieve, daughter to Mr. James Lindsay, Stanley, Peterculter, Aberdeenshire. EDWARDS (1894-1900).—At Monzievaird Parish Church, Perthshire, on 17th November, Captain JAMES HASTINGS EnwAmos, 1st Highland Brigade, R.F.A., advocate in Aberdeen, to Helen Christens, daughter of Mrs. James Brodie, 30 Dorset Square, London, W. EASTON (1894-1904).—At Aberdeen, on 13th November, ROBERT MORRISON EASTON, Lieutenant, Indian Medical Service, to Rose, only daughter of the late George Anderson, secretary, Yorkshire Insurance Co., and of Mrs. Anderson, 31 Desswood Place, Aberdeen. SMITH

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ANDERSON (1895-1902).—At the Burlington House, Glasgow, on 16th December, Private WILLIAM WM. ANDERSON, M.A., 4th Gordons, eldest son of Thomas Anderson, cabinetmaker, Aberdeen, to Agnes Elizabeth, second daughter of Mrs. C. Campbell, 2 Carnarvon Street, Glasgow (late of CuparFife). GILCHBIST (1897-1900).—At Christ Church, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A., on 26th January, ROBERT J. GILCHRIST, M.A., B.Sc. (Abdn.) (of S. M. Bulley & Son, cotton brokers, Liverpool and Savannah), to Lila Marguerite, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus S. Claghorn, Savannah, Ga. RAE (1897-1900).—At the West United Free Church, Aberdeen, on 17th November, LOUIS F. RAE, Cape Town, South Africa, to Janet (Nettie), eldest daughter of Mrs. Thomson, The Briars, West Cults. BISSET (1897-1906).—At St. Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen, on 22nd January, IAN GORDON Bussur, M.A., M.B., Ch.B., Captain, R.A.M.C. (T.F.), to Jean, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Shivas, 61 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen. CRAWFORD (1898-99).—At St. Catharine's Church, Blairgowrie, on. let December' Captain KENNETH H. CRAWFORD, 4th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, to Janet Ballingall, second daughter of the late James C. Rattray, and of Mrs. Rattray, Coralbank, Blairgowrie. LAWRENCE (1898.99).—At St. James Church, Gravesend, on 9th February, JOHN C. O. LAWRENCE, elder sou of John Lawrence, Hastings, late of Rathen, Aberdeenshire, to Minna Chester, youngest daughter of Thomas Rhodes and Mrs. Rhodes, Ardlui, Gravesend. HENDERSON (1898-99).--At St. Bride's Church, Kelvinside, Glasgow, on 15th November, Captain WILLIAM THOMSON HENDERSON, 7th Seaforth Highlanders, to Nancy Christina, only daughter of the late Thomas Paton and Mrs. Paton, 1 Lancaster Terrace, Ayr. RICHARDS (1899-1904).--At Aberdeen, on 21st December, ROBERT RICHARDS, M.A., M.B., Captain, R.A.M.C. (T.F.), to Agnes M. Lawrence, M.A., second daughter of the Rev. W. N. Lawrence, L.M.S., Port Moresby, New Guinea, and of Mrs. Lawrence, 81 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen. DURNo (1900- 02).—At Keith-hall Parish Church. on 8th January, JAMES DURNO, Crichie, Inverurie, to Catherine, daughter of Andrew Duncan, of Kinkell, Inverurie. WILLIAMSON (1900- 02).—At the South United Free Church, Aberdeen, on 12th January, WILLIAM BEVERIDGE WILLIAMSON, Captain, 3/4th Gordon Highlanders, to Jessie M 'Mister Gordon, second daughter of R. Gordon Nicol, C.E , Aberdeen. CATTO (1900- 03).—At the Scotch Presbyterian Church, Singapore, on 5th November, ALEXANDER STEWART CATTO, accountant, Djasinga Estates, Java (formerly of Aberdeen Savings Bank), to Rose, second daughter of the late James Taylor, agent, Rosemount Branch, North of Scotland and Town and County Bank, Ltd., Aberdeen. DAVIDSON (1900 - 07).—At Park Street Baptist Church, Luton, on 26th October, ALEXANDER AITKEN DAVIDSON, Second Lieutenant, 2/4th Gordon Highlanders, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Davidson, Birchwood, Cults, to Julia, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Looker, The Briars, Luton. DEUCHAR (1901.05).—At Aberdeen, on 2nd November, LOUIS H. F. C. SETFFARTH DEUCHAR, Second Lieutenant, R.E., to Georgina Henry (Doddie), youngest daughter of Mrs. Fraser, 56 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.

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OBITUARY. *Indicates Member of the Former Pupils' Club.

An RP. Club Office-Bearer.

TALBERT HELMRICH* (1885-92), a partner in the firm of Messrs. Charles Helmrich & Sons, wholesale stationers, Aberdeen, died at Aberdeen on 18th January, aged 37. He was very keenly interested in the Former PupiLs' Club, and was for several years past a member of the Executive Committee. In this capacity he did unobtrusively a great deal of useful work on behalf of the Club. WILLIAM FALCONER (1859-61) died at Aberdeen on 17th December, aged 68. He served an apprenticeship to the drapery business with Messrs. John Falconer & Co., Aberdeen, and on the death of his father became sole partner of this firm. Latterly

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he took into partnership with himself his two sons, Harvey G. Falconer and Douglas Falconer, both of whom are members of the Former Pupils' Club. Rev. ALEXANDER IRONSIDE* (1861-63), M.A., retired Army Chaplain, died at Aberdeen on 3rd November, aged 69. After graduating in Arts in 1867 he was engaged for several years in teaching in England and Scotland. In 1882 he was ordained a minister of the Church of Scotland, and in the same year was appointed to the English Reformed Church at Amsterdam. After twelve years he retired on account of ill-health, but in 1898 was appointed Officiating Chaplain (Presbyterian) to the troops at Shorncliffe and Hythe. He finally retired about three years ago. JOHN WILLIAM BROOMHEAD (1863 65) died at Gunnersbury, London, W., on 13th December. He entered the Civil Service in 1870 and was engaged in the Inland Revenue Department until 1895. Thereafter he occupied himself with literary work in London. JOHN Coox* (1864-65), M.A., LL.D., late Principal of the Central College, Bangalore, South India, died at Edinburgh on 29th December, aged 67. He entered King's College as First Bursar in 1865 and graduated M.A. four years later with First Class Honours in Mathematics. He was assistant professor of Natural Philosophy at Aberdeen University from 1870 to 1873, and in the latter year was appointed mathematical and science master in Arbroath High School. In 1877 he became Principal of Doveton Protestant College, Madras, and five years later Principal of the Government Central College, Bangalore. This position he held until 1908, when he retired on a pension from the Indian Educational Service. For many years he acted as Director of Meteorology for the Province of Mysore, and as such published numerous volumes of observations and records. He was the author of several text books on algebra and physics. Among his classfellows at Sohool were Sir James Reid, Sir James Thomson, Sir George S. Forbes, and Sir William Japp Sinclair. Rev. Professor JAMES ALEXANDER PATERSON* (1864-67), M.A., D.D., Emeritus-Professor of Hebrew in the United Free Church College, Edinburgh, died at Edinburgh on 21st November. He left the School as Dux in 1867 and graduated in Arts at Aberdeen University in 1871 with First Class Honours in Classics, and Second Class Honours in Philosophy. Thereafter he was a classical scholar of Pembroke College, Oxford, and in 1876, at the early age of 25, was elected to the chair of Hebrew and Old Testament Exegesis in the United Presbyterian College, Edinburgh. In 1900, at the Union of the Free Church of Scotland and the United Presbyterian Church, he was appointed Professor of Old Testament Language, Literature and Theology at New College, Edinburgh, in succession

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to Professor A. B. Davidson, D.D., LL.D., another Former Pupil of the School. Professor Paterson retired in 1913. He was the author of various theological works, and will be remembered as a great Hebrew scholar and as a whole-hearted supporter of the principle of religious equality. ALBERT WESTLAND (1864-68), M.A., M.D., died at Aberdeen on 31st December, aged 62. After graduating in Medicine, with highest honours, at Aberdeen University in 1875 he engaged in general medical practice in London until 1899, when he retired and settled in Aberdeen. He was predeceased by his brother Sir James Westland (1852-55), K.C.S.I., and is survived by another brother, George Westland (1865-66), a member of the Former Pupils' Club, now living in retirement at Berkeley, California. JAMES REID (1879-84), son of Nathaniel Reid of Fechil, Ellon, died at Aberdeen on 30th November. WILLIAM BURNS DUFFUS (1881-82), B.Sc., died at Riddersk Mine, Siberia, on 25th November, aged 41. He was born in Swatow, China, and received part of his education at the Grammar School. After graduating in Science at Edinburgh University he was appointed analytical chemist in the Rio Tinto Mine in Spain, and remained in that position for twelve years. In 1914 he entered the service of the Irtysh Company at Riddersk Mine, Siberia. In November last he took typhoid fever and succumbed after being a fortnight in hospital, carefully tended by the only two fellow-countrymen now left on the staff of the mine. WILLIAM PHILIP (1881-82), of Boynds, Inverurie, died at Inverurie on 1st January, in his 52nd year. He was a wellknown Aberdeenshire farmer. JOHN CARNEGIE LAWSON (1881-85) died at Aberdeen on 6th December, aged 46. He was for a considerable time in the service of Messrs. Duncan & Morice (now Morice & Wilson), advocates, Aberdeen. ROBERT FYFE GRANT (1882-87) died at Waimate, New Zealand, on 22nd October, aged 38. After a business training he went to New Zealand and engaged in farming. Latterly he resided at South Canterbury, being connected with a large firm of land and stock valuers and salesmen. EDWARD PETFIELD* (1908-14) was reported in January to have been lost overboard from the "Dolbardarn Castle" on a voyage from Portland, Oregon, to Algoa Bay. He was 16 years old.

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Education at the School, 1846.1851. The Right Honourable Sir James Stirling, the writer of this very welcome article, went through the complete School curriculum during the years 1846-1851. Although now in his eightieth year, he demonstrates in the article that the memory of his School days has not grown dim, and both former and present pupils will be grateful for his picture of life and work at the School over sixty years ago. For the sake of the younger generation it may be mentioned that Sir James was dux of the School in 1851, M.A. at King's College in 1855, and Senior Wrangler at Cambridge in 1860. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1862, and for a number of years carried on chamber practice, combined with practice in the Chancery Courts. In 1881 he was appointed Junior Equity Counsel to the Treasury, and five years later was raised to the Bench as a Judge of the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, receiving at the same time the honour of knighthood. In 1900 he became a Lord Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature, thus attaining to one of the highest legal positions in the country. He retired in 1906, and now lives at Goudhurst, Kent. I entered the Aberdeen Grammar School in October, 1846, and left it in October 1851. The Rector at that time was Dr. James Melvin. There were three masters; Mr. John Dun, Mr. James Dunn, and Mr. Alexander Beverley: Mr. James Dunn died in 1848, and was succeeded by Mr. William Duguid Geddes, who afterwards succeeded Dr. Melvin as Rector, and became Professor of Greek, and ultimately Sir William Duguid Geddes and Principal of the University of Aberdeen. The School was divided into five classes, of which the 4th and 5th were taught by the Rector, and the others by one of the masters : the arrangement being that the master under whom a pupil entered the School remained his master during three years, until the pupil reached the 4th class, when he passed into the charge of the Rector. The main subject of instruction at that time was the Latin language; but the histories of Scotland, England and Rome were taught in the first three classes, as also modern geography; and Greek in the 4th and 5th classes. The introduction of Greek into the curriculum was largely due, as I believe, to the pressure of John Stuart Blackie, then Professor of Humanity at Marischal College, who maintained that " Humanity " (Literae Humaniores) included both Greek and However this may be, both King's College and Latin. Marischal College began about 1846 to require a knowledge of Greek in the Bursary Competitions, and it became imperative that the language should be taught at the Grammar School.

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The master whose pupil I became was Mr. John Dun. My earlier education had been entirely conducted at home, and I watched the proceedings at School with much interest. On the first day Mr. Dun confined himself to getting the names of his new pupils, and instructing us as to the books required. On an early day afterwards we found, on assembling in the morning, that on the blackboard at the head of the classroom there had been written " Fee 13s." ; and before commencing lessons, the master explained that the School fee for the quarter, October-December, was immediately payable, and amounted to 13s., made up of 10s. 6d. for tuition, and 2s. 6d. for coals : the latter item being exacted for that quarter only. For some days subsequently a short portion of the morning was devoted to the collection of these fees. At the commencement of each quarter, a like announcement was made. It is perhaps not unworthy of notice that at that time the whole annual payment for instruction at the most prominent school in the City of Aberdeen was the small sum of £2 4s. 6d. Mr. Dun had a well-founded reputation as a strict upholder of discipline, which he enforced by a liberal (but not harsh) use of the " tawse." This instrument was kept in a drawer in the master's desk, which was kept carefully locked. On one occasion, however, it was found that the drawer had been left unlocked and that the tawse had disappeared. Mr. Dun at once directed two of the pupils who happened to be sitting together (of whom I was one) to go to a sadler's shop in the School Hill, not far from the School, and buy a new tawse, which we did. The verdict of the class was the new instrument was less pungent than the old. I believe it lasted all the rest of my time under hint. The elementary Latin Grammar then in use at the School was Ruddiman's " Rudiments of Latin Grammar," edited by John Hunter, Principal of the University of St. Andrews, an excellent book which had a great vogue in Scotland during the first half of the 19th Century; and in it we were most thoroughly drilled. When sufficiently advanced we were introduced to a book which bore the title, " Maturini Corderii Colloquiorum Centuria Selecta," commonly known as Cordery's Colloquies. This was a selection from a larger work of a celebrated teacher of Latin, Maturin Cordier, the tutor of Calvin when a student at the Sorbonne.* It was admirably adapted for the acquisition of conversational Latin, and Mr. Dun used it with great skill, in such a way that his pupils acquired some facility in speaking Latin. *An interesting account of the relations between Calvin and Cordier will be found in the life of Calvin by A. Bossut, in the series "Les Grande Berivains Francais," published by Hachette & Co., Paris. The "Colloquies" were first published in 1564, only six months before the death of the author, at the age of 85.

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In the second year Cornelius Nepos was read, and Ferguson's Grammatical Exercises were used. We were also introduced to Melvin's Latin Grammar, a book which embraces only Etymology and Prosody, but does not extend to Syntax. It is a wonderful storehouse of minute learning on the subjects with which it deals. In the third year Caesar's " Gallic War" and Ovid's " Metamorphoses " were read, and we began to write " Versions," pieces of English dictated by the master in the School to be translated (usually there and then) into Latin, with the assistance of the Latin dictionary. As will hereafter appear, this practice formed the most prominent feature of the teaching in the higher classes. Excellent as was the teaching of Mr. Dun, entry into the 4th class disclosed a higher standard. Dr. Melvin taught the 4th and 5th classes together. He devoted a few days at the_ beginning to what was termed a revision of the grammar, beginning with some instruction as to the vowel sounds. On the letter a he quoted a couplet which still remains in my memory :— A(h) the child in cradle cries, And when grown old cries A(h) and dies.

Another subject of minute learning was the division of Latin words into syllables, as to which he laid down rules which were expected to be observed in all written work submitted to him. When the revision was concluded we began to read a portion of Caesar's " Civil War," and continued to do so until the end of the first quarter. In the 2nd quarter (JanuaryMarch) portions of Virgil were read, usually the 1st and 2nd books of the " IEneid " (one book in the 4th year, the other in the 5th), some of the " Eclogues," and the latter part of the 4th " Georgic " (" Pastor Aristaeus," etc.). In the 3rd quarter the Odes of Horace were read, usually two books in the 4th year, and two other books in the 5th. In the 4th quarter a portion of Livy was the subject. In dealing with all these portions of Latin literature Melvin was careful to give an accurate literal translation, but besides this he called attention of his scholars to everything which required elucidation, displaying an easy mastery over etymology, syntax and prosody. Not unfrequently he commented on the defects and mistakes in the school editions of the classics then in use, quoting, when occasion fitted, the words of Young (Loss of Fame, Satire 7) :— How commentators each dark passage shun, And hold their farthing candles to the sun.

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Yet, with all the pains bestowed on this part of tuition, it could not but be felt by his pupils that everything was subordinate to the version. On it turned the places held by them in the classroom ; on it turned the places in the prize list at the end of the year; for these purposes no weight was given either to translation from Latin into English or any other mark of scholarship. In the 4th and 5th classes the usual practice was that two versions were written in the classroom in each week, generally on Tuesday and Friday. Once a fortnight there was given out what was called a " trial " version, and by it the places in the classes for the next fortnight were determined. Generally the trial version was written on Friday morning, and the result was announced on the following Monday. In the interval Melvin had gone through all the versions and carefully marked and estimated the errors in them. On Monday morning he brought them into the classroom arranged in due order. The seats, beginning with the first in the 5th class, were emptied one by one ; Melvin began, " Sine errore A.B." ; thereupon A.B. took his place at the head of the class ; and so on down to the last. If more than one of the versions was " Sine errore," they were arranged according to his view of their merits, special regard being had to elegance of expression. On rare occasions he would pronounce a version " Sine errore, elegantissime." Errors were divided into three classes, minimi, medii and maximi : a minimus counted as one, a medius as two, and a maximus as four. The non-trial versions were read and marked, and were publicly commented on, but the errors were not estimated numerically. Finally, Melvin dictated his own translation of the English he had given out, which was always composed by himself, with the special object of testing the Latinity of the pupils : I never knew him use an extract from an English author for the purpose. As regards the teaching of Greek I have little to say. It was marked by the same painstaking accuracy as that of Latin : but the easy mastery of detail which characterised the latter was absent. This was shown by a constant reference to what were obviously very copious written notes. The Greek read in 1849-50 consisted of the first twelve chapters of St. John's Gospel: in 1850-51, the 1st book of Xenophon's " Anabasis," being the prescribed subjects for the Bursary Competitions in 1850 to 1851 respectively. The version stage in Greek was not reached. Some attention was paid to ancient history and geography, but the instruction was not systematic, being based almost entirely to the portions of the authors read during the year.

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The School broke up for the summer holiday in the last week of June, and the vacation lasted for a little more than a month. It was the custom to " busk " the School on the breaking-up days. In 1851 a novelty was introduced ; it was arranged among those who did the " busking " that there should be placed on the front of the desk of each master a tribute to his merits, expressed in Latin. For Dr. Melvin there was selected the following modification of a well-known stanza of Horace (Odes I., 12) :— Crescit occulto velut arbor aevo Fama Melvini; micat inter omnes Scoticum sidus, velut inter ignes Luns minores.

When he took his seat on the breaking-up day, he immediately pointed to the inscription and said, " Do not suppose, gentlemen, that I am capable of swallowing that," and there he left it. This was a somewhat severe lesson on " How not to do it " ; but it was taken calmly, for it was felt that though the intended compliment had not been well expressed there remained behind it something not entirely displeasing to the Doctor. For Mr. Geddes there were chosen the appropriate and unobjectionable words from Horace (Odes III., 8) :— Docte sermones utriusque linguae. I have forgotten the inscriptiops for the other two masters, but they were also taken from Horace. The last quarter (August-October) was marked by a great influx into the 5th class of new scholars from country schools, who desired to take advantage of Melvin's instruction in order to prepare themselves for the Bursary Competitions at the two colleges in the last week of October. Many of these were older than the scholars of the three preceding quarters, and by the help of the trial versions not a few of them rose to high places in the class. No direct religious instruction was given in the School: but before the commencement of the morning lesson a short prayer was said. Where, in the ordinary course of teaching, a fitting opportunity occurred, Melvin never hesitated to quote the Bible, sometimes with very great effect. A favourite passage was (Prov. xxx., 8-9), " Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny God, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." There was a custom of prescribing what was called a " sacred lesson " on Saturday for the following Monday. It began in the first class, where the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles' Creed in Latin (all found in Ruddiman's " Rudiments ") had to be learnt by heart.

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I believe that at one time the Sacred Dialogues of Sebastian Castalio were used for the purpose of these lessons. I distinctly remember that a copy of this book was given to me for use at School ; but about that time copies became scarce and I am not sure that it was in actual use in my time. For the purposes of this lesson Melvin made considerable use of Buchanan's Psalms, but he also dictated " sacred versions," as they were called, the subjects of them .being Scriptural. These were written at home and handed in on Monday morning. Melvin had but little difficulty in maintaining discipline. His stern features, disfigured by the ravages of small-pox, gave rise to the name of " Grim," frequently applied to him. In most cases a look from him was enough to deter a pupil from indulging in any liberty; and the utterance of a few scathing words inflicted a deeper sting than any physical punishment. Only on a few occasions did he lay his hand on a pupil. Melvin was a great personality in the School, and was recognized as such by the citizens of Aberdeen. He was an excellent and successful teacher, and all that he taught was sound and good. For myself I gratefully acknowledge the benefit which I received from his training. In what precedes I have endeavoured to recall my experiences at the Aberdeen Grammar School after an interval of more than .sixty-four years, with little assistance from books or documents. I have in my possession only one of my school books, but by the courtesy of Mr. P. J. Anderson, the University Librarian, I have had the privilege of seeing some copies of them which had belonged to Dr. Melvin himself, and I desire to express my thanks for his kind assistance. An old friend quite recently and most unexpectedly returned to me two of my old version books which I had given him over sixty years ago. In other respects I have had to rely on a memory which is far from being perfectly trustworthy. In these circumstances it is inevitable that mistakes have been made, and I trust that some former pupil may be found to point them out. JAMES STIRLING. FINCRCOCES, GouDHURST, KENT, 29th January, 1916.

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Three School Clubs. " Juvenes dum sumus."

Every Scotsman, says Sir Walter Scott in the Autobiographical Fragment, has a pedigree, and every Aberdonian is supposed to be a genealogist. At least he would need to be in handling lists of names in old records. Without that instinct much of the interest and most of the names would be lost. The oldest, so far as known, of the Class Records of the University, is that of the Marischal College class of 1787-91. The great bulk of the names was provided by the Grammar School, for from 1593 to 1860 the connection of the two institutions as " toun's bairns " was so close that no substantial error is committed in simply regarding the College classes as an appendix of the School. It is to be regretted that much information and many historical documents are still locked up in the Town House cellars, and that so little interest should be shown in the Council as to the history and development of the city. With proper organization there is material for a rejuvenated Spalding Club for many years ahead. The oldest Record is thus simply a Grammar School list, and the origin of the Record was given in the opening minute. " During the summer of 1803, several who had been students in the class which commenced their academical course at Marischal College, session 1787-8, having been settled in Aberdeen, and others having resided there and in the neighbourhood before, it was considered as a very uncommon circumstance that so many of one class should be settled in one place. The gentlemen composing the class, happy at this occurrence, and desirous of again renewing their former acquaintance and familiarity, agreed to hold a convivial meeting for that purpose. Accordingly, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 1803, the following members of the class met, viz.. :- —Dr. Neil Sutherland, Surgeon to the Aberdeen Militia; Thomas Burnett, Duncan Davidson, Robert Morice, and Francis Gordon, Esqrs., Advocates in Aberdeen ; Messrs. Alexander Morice, 1st Officer of the Asia, East Indiaman ; James Bentley, Professor of Oriental Languages, King's College ; John Scott, at Drumside, Belhelvie; James Simpson, Merchant, Aberdeen; the Rev. George Mitchell, Schoolmaster, Clunie ; George Cruden, Ma4ter of the Writing School ; Gilbert Falconer, Master of the English School ; and James Watt, one of the Masters of the Grammar School. They were favoured with the company of Professor Stuart, their former respected preceptor, under whose auspices they began their academical studies, and dined all together at the Lemon Tree Tavern. Mr. Burnett in the chair. . . . . The meeting further appointed Thomas Burnett, Esq., Advocate, their Preses, and James Watt, their Secretary, to insert the minutes of the meeting in a book to be procured for that pm- • pose, and for managing any other business relating to the class."

The class studied under Dr. George Campbell, Dr. James Beattie, Mr. James Hay Beattie, Dr. George Skene, Dr. A. Donaldson, Dr. R. Hamilton, Mr. Patrick Copland, Mr. John Stuart, Mr. James Beattie. On 3rd November, 1804, they

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met in the Lemon Tree, with Mr. Davidson of Inchmarlo, the " doctor " or " D.D." of the class, in the chair, and Professor Stuart as guest. The speech addressed to Stuart was delivered by the Rev. John Gerard, schoolmaster, Banchory Ternan, and was engrossed in the minutes. It is in a fine sonorous vein, and compares the. members present to " YEneas' select seven that first escaped the rage of Juno and the Ocean. . . . We, sir, have been the scattered adventurers, and in the kindness of Providence are now blessed in the full enjoyment of that happy moment. Each of us now feels in the midst of true friends, and everything has contributed to render us so. . . . And while we look back on past dangers, we hope that in them our virtuous and religious principles have not been eradicated, but tried, strengthened, and confirmed. Those dangers of youth being past, we shall look forward to the remainder of life with composure, determined by the grace of God to persevere in the practice of religion, and repose an entire confidence in the divine protection it promised and the animating hope it inspires, till the calamities of the world are for ever past." Verses were recited by Mr. Cruden—minister of Logie Buchan, and grandfather of George Cruden, advocate, M.A. 1873—to " Friends of my Youth." In the class, James Watt, Fintray, master in the Grammar School, was the first and only secretary. Dr. John Milne of Gilcomston was the founder of the Milne Educational Bequest, and of the Milne Medical Bursary in 1808, being President of the Bombay Board in 1827. They began with the Lemon Tree, the recognized head centre of all civic banquets, Presbytery dinners, and functions of a high class. It was situated in Huxter Row, the narrow lane or street running at the back of the Town House from Broad Street. On the death of the landlord, George Ronald, they migrated to Anderson's New Inn, the place familiar to Aberdonians in Seaton's View of Castle Street in 1806, showing the Market Cross in its original position, and the Town House with the forestairs. The inn, at which Dr. Johnson and Boswell put up on their famous 1773 tour, occupied the site of the North Bank. Other places, Dempster's Hotel, Melvin's Hotel, the Aberdeen Hotel, are mere names to me. The bills, the menus, the number of bottles of wine drunk, are all duly pasted in and entered. The songs are occasionally given. In 1810 Mr. Gerard gives in ideal local surroundings " The Scottish Kail Brose." During the American Civil War a regiment stationed in Aberdeen had played " The Roast Beef of Old England" with such pertinacity that Alexander Watson (1744-1831), tailor in the town and Deacon of the Incorporated Trades, who made "Byron's first pair o' breeks," was incited to reply with the song. Professor Bentley gives " Life let us Cherish." Dr. Milne of Bombay,

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has " In the Garb of Old Gaul," with the tune by General Reid, the founder of the Edinburgh chair of Music, and also sings something about the British fleet, beginning with " Thursday on the morning, the nineteenth of May." I cannot fix this, and perhaps some reader may contribute it to the next issue of the Magazine. Mr. Cruden gives " Green Grow the Rashes." Mr. Gerard also gives " The Soldier's Return," by Burns, the secretary adding gravely, but significantly, a note of protest, that it was sung to the tune of " Corn Rigs are Bonny," " and not " (and rightly, too) " to the correct one of ' Mill, Mill, O.' " They had begun with a glass, " drunk in silence," to the memory of Professor Beattie (Civil and Natural History), who had died 5th October, 1810, and the writing gets illegible at the end. " The Bill was here called, and this history breaketh off "—in time, I fear, for Mr. Gerard's " virtuous and religious principles," recorded in his 1804 speech. Our grandfathers were nothing if not sentimental, even in their convivial hour. Everyone knows, or ought to know, the account of toasts and sentiments given by Lord Cockburn in his Memorials of His Time and reproduced by Dean Ramsay in his Reminiscences.* Cockburn gives us specimens, " May the pleasures of the evening bear the reflections of the morning," " May the friends of our youth be companions of our old age," " Delicate pleasures to susceptible minds," " May the honest heart never feel distress," " May the hand of charity wipe the tear from the eye of sorrow." Accordingly the minutes of the class enshrine much lofty moral sentiment, with the usual aphorisms about " the chearful Glass cementing affection." I transcribe a few minutes On Nov. 11, 1809, at their seventh anniversary with Professor Bentley in the chair and Professor Stuart as guest, " They had to congratulate themselves on the return of two friends from foreign stations, Dr Milne, and Mr. Ro. Morice [from Gibraltar]. The former had resided several years in India, and deservedly acquired great celebrity in his professional capacity, he being instrumental in introducing the Vaccine Inoculation into that country, and thereby rendering important services to the inhabitants thereof ."f On Nov. 16, 1811, a snuffbox of the value of five or six guineas, with a suitable inscription, was given to Professor Stuart. " The meeting rejoiced at seeing again their much respected class-fellow Mr. Al. Morice, who has lately returned from Rio Janeiro. It was further v Cockburn's Memorial*, p. 37 ; Ramsay, 21st edition. pp. 57-59. I. A full account of Milne in India is given in Mrs. Rodger's Aberdeen Doctor*, ch. ail.

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resolved that Skate shall hereafter be a standing dish at the annual entertainments." On Nov. 14, 1812, " It was resolved Nem. Con. that the following be a never failing toast at all future meetings— ' May the Companions of our youth be the Friends of our old age.' The evening was spent as usual with great hilarity. Some of the company kept it up to a late hour, being better able to hold out than their weaker brethren. But of their proceedings no memorial was preserved, the official reporter having previously retired ut conviva satur." On Nov. 13, 1813, "the satisfaction commonly felt was heightened by the contemplation . of the present auspicious prospect of public affairs, and they had the pleasure to drink a toast to the British Army in France." " Rob, sometimes called Bob, Morice," was singled out as the only bachelor, is admonished, and promises submission. On Nov. 12, 1814, " Professor Stuart produced a letter from our friend Dr. Milne, dated 22 Feb. 1814, in which it was evident that the Dr. still dwelt with pleasing emotions on the recollections of this festive anniversary. . . . This proves that our fair fame has spread over several Quarters of the Globe and that the good cheer of the Lemon Tree gladdens the hearts of even those who inhabit the plains of Hindostan." On Nov. 9, 1816, " Bob Morice's submission to the class was practically announced, and the child was enthusiastically toasted." [I have seen him,* and I take Andrew Morice, M.A., 1884, Barberton, Transvaal, to be " Bob's " grandson.] In 1817 Dr. Milne remits from Bombay a sum to array the Secretary, Mr. Watt, in a suit of " velvet breeks," to be worn officially at every meeting. Mr. Watt appeared in splendour, and the class, " admiring the Man and the Suit," drank to " their Oriental friend " in a bumper. On Oct. 26, 1827, they had to regret the death of Professor Stuart on Monday, Aug. 27, " whose memory they deem it their duty to cherish and revere." The class attended the funeral on Saturday, Sept. 1, Duncan Davidson, as Dean of Faculty in Marischal College, wearing the insignia of his office. On Oct. 23, 1829, they chronicled the death of Professor Robert Hamilton, whose monument can be seen through the Union Street façade of the town church, and whose memory is preserved in Hamilton Place. " It must be deemed a distinguished honour to have studied under a person whose opinions have guided and directed the *D. R. Morice, Advocate, 34 Marischal Street, author of "A Hand-book of British Maritime Law." London, 1857.

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British Senate, and who by the force of his genius and the acuteness of his calculations detected and exposed the fallacy of a popular system of finance which had deceived the nation for so many years." This refers to Hamilton's book on The National Debt, and the exposure of the Sinking Fund, giving him a European reputation. On October 24, 1834, the thirty-first anniversary had five members present. The full minute should be preserved. " At the advanced period of life to which the Individuals of this class have now arrived, it is natural to expect that some of them will now and then be dropping into the grave. The memories of these ought to be cherished and respected by the Survivors, especially by those who have so long enjoyed their society and friendship, that they, in their turn, may have the satisfaction and mournful consolation of looking forward to similar posthumous esteem, when they themselves shall be no more. At the last meeting the company had to regret the loss of their oldest classfellow, Mr. Falconer; now it is with regret that they have to notice the decease of their youngest member, Mr. Robert Morice, which took place at his house, Union Street West, on the 29th of April last. Mr. Morice died with the respect and esteem of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. They had to remark likewise the increase of sober and temperate habits in the Class, which is so commendable among persons venerable for age and wisdom. They regaled themselves with tea after their _ Wine, which is rather an unusual circumstance at their meetings. Bill 8s. Two bottles of Wine with Brandy Punch and Tea." The last entry is for 27th October, 1837. " Present—Dr. Sutherland, P. ; Mr. Gordon, V.P. ; Mr. Burnett, Mr. Bentley, Mr. Watt, Mr. ruden, Mr. Davidson. " Fifty years having now elapsed since the fellows of this class entered as Bajans at Marischal College, the Gentlemen congratulated each other on the circumstance, and drank a toast to ' Continuance of health and happiness ' to themselves, and then to the prosperity of their Alma Mater, now about to be rebuilt. Tea. " Deputation from the Grammar School Class of 1807, consisting of Dr. Robert Dyce, and John Angus, Esq., Deputy Town Clerk, who, to the number of twelve, had dined in the same house. A deputation was sent to them. Carriage. Bill 10s. Four bottles of Wine. Meeting to be held next year at Aberdeen Hotel." * * * * * * * * * * There recently came into the possession of the School a large vellum sheet, measuring 30 inches long by 16i inches

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CHARTER OF THE CLUB OF FORMER PUPILS 1806-1811.

In the lower right-hand corner appear faintly some of the names (written on the back of the document) of those who attended the . yearly meetinp-s ni M.. ('I,,

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broad, engrossing the constitution of the Club of 1806, with the signatures of the members, the dates of the meetings, and other particulars. The document, which is considerably stained and faded, reads as follows (see accompanying Plate) :— ABERDEEN, 25th November 1814. At a meeting held in the Grammar School of this City this twentyfifth day of November, Eighteen hundred and fourteen years, We, the undersigned members of the Class who entered that Seminary in the year Eighteen hundred and six, under the tuition of Mr. Forbes, do hereby give our consent and agree to meet, and sup annually, on the first day of November of each succeeding year, in one of the most respectable Inns in Aberdeen : the expences of said supper to be defrayed by mutual subscription. RULES AND REGULATIONS. I. That a meeting be held in the Grammar School on each succeeding twenty-fifth day of October, for the purpose of electing a President and Vice-President for the ensuing year. II. That the Class regulations or Charter be deposited in the President's possession for the time being. III. That in case of the President's leaving Aberdeen before the expiry of his Presidency, he shall call a meeting of all the Class, or at least of Nine of the Members, eight days before his departure, when he shall deliver up the Class regulations or Charter to the VicePresident or any other person the Committee may think proper to appoint in his stead, from which period the said appointed person shall perform the duty of President during the remainder of the departed President's time, and for the following year.

This is signed by " James Cromar, Rector of the Grammar School of Aberdeen," and by " R. Forbes, one of the masters of Grammar School." Cromar was a native of Lumphanan, was M.A. of Marischal College in 1788, master in 1796, Rector in 1803, dying in 1826, when he was succeeded by Melvin, then in his thirty-second year. The School of the time is thus sketched by Professor Masson, in his classic portrait of Dr. Melvin*:— `" The Grammar School,' says Byron in his reminiscences of his Aberdeen boyhood, ' might consist of a hundred and fifty boys of all ages under age. It was divided into five classes, taught by four masters, the chief teaching the fourth and fifth himself.' Save that the number of pupils had increased to between two and three hundred, this description of the Aberdeen Grammar School in Byron's time holds good as I remember it. The three under masters then were Mr. Watt, Mr. Forbes, and Mr. John Dun. Watt and Forbes, or as they were called irreverently, ' Wattie' and ' Chuckle,' were two old men—one white haired and feeble, the other tougher, leaner, and with a brown wig—whose days of efficiency, which may have begun with the century, were now over. As each of the under masters carried his class on for • Memories of Two Cities, Edinburgh and Aberdeen : 1911, pp. 248.249.

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three years continuously, and then handed it over as the fourth class to the care of the chief master or rector, himself going back to receive the new entrants, it was not uncommon for careful parents to keep back their boys till it was Mr. Dun's turn to assume the first class. He was a much younger man than the other two, kept splendid order, and was, indeed, a most excellent teacher. His class was usually twice or three times as large as that of Forbes or Watt, commencing at eighty or ninety strong in the first year, and always debouching at the end of the third year into the rector's charge, not only well kept up in numbers, but so well trained that each third year wave of ` Dun's scholars,' as they were called, was welcomed by the rector as his most hopeful material." The signatures are 28 in number, and include the name of the famous " Rabbi " John Duncan. I have seen only two on the roll, William Black (Black and Ferguson, wine merchants in the Adelphi), and Robert Maitland, shipowner, in Garvock Street, Footdee, and later of Balgreen, on the Low Stocket Road, right hand side, a mile and a half from the foot of Mount Street. With a brief note of identification from the Marischal College Fasti, the names run as follows :— James Russell, of Aden, Advocate 1823 ; William Ross, M.A. ; William Westland, Advocate 1820; Alexander Wedderburn; John M'Cook, M.A. ; John Campbell, M.A. and M.D. ; Alexander Tytler, M.A. ; William Rettie ; John Yeats, M.A., Schoolmaster, Cabrach; John Webster, Advocate 1817; William Sim, M.A. ; Robert Ingram, M.A. ; John Duncan, M.A. ; Alexander Black ; William Gray, Advocate 1823 ; Alexander Muir, Advocate 1817 ; Robert Maitland; William Dawney, M.A. Advocate (Edinburgh), author of Ancient Scottish Melodies: Edin., 1838; Nathaniel Morren, M.A., minister, Greenock and Brechin ; George Williamson (Query— Kinmundy, Skene; 30 New Market, and Dean Ramsay's Reminiscences, u.s. p. 156); William Copland, son of William Copland, Advocate; Robert Reid, M.A., Silver Pen, 1812; A. Chivas, Advocate 1821, and banker, National Bank, 42 Castle Street; James Edmond, Advocate 1821, Lecturer on Scots Law; David Lyall, M.A., W.S. 1823; Francis Burnett, son of John Burnett of Elrick, merchant, Aberdeen; Clements Lumsden, W.S. 1823, Advocate 1825 ; William Black. In 1834 the benedicts gave a dinner to the bachelors. On Sunday, 13th March, 1842, is entered the death at Aberdeen of the Rev. Robert Forbes, in his 80th year. The last entry is on October 21, 1847, with the dinner at McGregor's Aberdeen Hotel. The signatures are Alexander Muir (P), John Campbell, William Black, Alexander Black, and William Gray (Secretary). *

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The 1807 Class started with the issue of a printed letter to the members. Sir—A General Meeting of the Class which commenced its Literary Career under Mr. Nicol, on the 26th Day of October, 1807, will be held in the Grammar School on Tuesday the 28th current, at Two o'Clock P.M., to consider the Propriety of establishing an Anniversary Supper ; when your Attendance as a Member is particularly requested. Aberdeen, October 25, 1817.

In the Class are found the names of Rev. Dr. Adam Corbet of Drumoak, founder of the Divinity Bursaries in 1876; Alexander Morrice, of the firm McKinnon and Co, iron founders, Spring Garden; Alexander Ogston, candlemaker, Loch Street; Alexander Robertson, merchant, Macao, China, and of Balgownie Lodge, Aberdeen ; Alexander Rogers, Sheriff of London, 1841; Alexander Thomson, Esq., of Banchory ; Arthur Thomson, Norwegian, Spanish, and French Consul, Bank of Scotland, Castle Street; Benjamin Franklin Rush Kidd, son of Dr. Kidd of Gilcomston; John Forbes, commander of the 92nd Regiment ; George Hogarth, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 26th Regiment or Cameronians; George Melvin, Headmaster of Gordon's Hospital and Schoolmaster of Tarves; George Moir, translator of Schiller's Wallenstein, Sheriff of Ross and Stirling, Professor of Rhetoric, Edinburgh; James Logan, antiquary, author of The Scottish Gad, 2 vols., London, 1831 ; John Angus, Town Clerk of Aberdeen and Secretary of the 1832 Reform Bill Committee ; John Cadenhead, Surgeon to Infirmary and Blind Asylum; Maxwell Dun, son of the Rector, Andrew Dun; Professor Robert Dyce; William Burnett, Crathes Castle, Post Captain R.N., who died in Portsmouth Harbour, 1840, in command of the Magicienne; Lieutenant William Gordon, R.N.; Dr. William Mortimer, of Madras; William Sim, Member of Congress, U.S.A., " alive and wealthy " in 1855. The last entry is the death of Andrew Pirie, Merchant, aged 74, at St. John's, Antigua, 22nd June, 1871. Opposite the names a jotting is sometimes made. In 1853, Corbet is " deaf as a post." Alexander Black, wine merchant, London, " was in Aberdeen Sept. 22, 1864, and recognised John Ramsay in Union Street," Ramsay being in the Class and editor of the Aberdeen Journal. Alexander Crombie, seaman, " was seen by Dr. John Campbell (H.E.I.C.S. in the Class) in China, 1832," a pencil jot adding " died in the General Hospital, Calcutta." , Ogston of Ardoe in 1850 " has five of a family." Lieutenant-Colonel George Hogarth " died of cholera, in Montreal, 1854.." By 1850 George Melvin " keeps a curricle and pair of ponies," and in 1851 " visits the Exhibition of London and Paris, via Dieppe." John Sheed, shipowner, Marischal Street, is noted in 1843 as " keeping a gig," and next year is " Deacon in

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the Free West." In 1850 Professor Dyce's son has " got a bursary." In 1853 Dr. William Leslie in Aberdeen has his " set of new teeth " entered. Has the following newspaper advertisement which fronts the name of John Forbes, escaped the notice of Mr. Bulloch in his researches on the Gordon Highlanders ? FIFTY POUNDS REWARD.-ABSCONDED, from Bath, Somerset, charged with publishing an indecent libel, and for whom a Judge's warrant has been issued for his apprehension, having neglected to appear at the Assizes, held at Wells, on the 10th inst., JOHN ALEXANDER FORBES, known as Colonel Forbes, late of Her Majesty's 92nd Highlanders. He is about 64 years of age, 5 feet 9 or 10 high, florid complexion, stout made, gray hair, thick bushy whiskers (which he sometimes dyes), walks very erect, with a short, quick step, usually wears a silk hat with flat brim, placed much over his eyes. The above reward will be paid to any person or persons who shall give Such information as Shall lead to the apprehension of the said John Alexander Forbes. Information to be given to Mr. Alfred Hughes, Chief of Police, Central Station, Bath, who holds a warrant for his apprehension.

At their thirtieth anniversary, 27th October, 1837, they send greetings to the Marischal College Class of 1787 described above, then celebrating its fiftieth meeting, in the same Hotel. In 1845 George Melvin at Tarves invites the Class to dine with him, on Tuesday, 26th August. The Class " proceeded to Tarves in an Omnibus drawn by four horses, in time for a glorious breakfast, after which they inspected Haddo House. After an Evening spent in the happiest manner, the party reached home in safety, notwithstanding the ' wetness ' of the day, from which the postboys, particularly, appeared to suffer considerably." A relative of my own some years ago added the following information to me. George Melvin, who was the Rector's brother, put his foot rather speculatively on the step of a gig, causing it to " shoggle " considerably. Looking reproachfully at the driver, he added with gratuitous irrelevance, " John, I fear you have been drinking." John turned his neck and gruffly rejoined, " An' I some doot ye hinna been sookin' sooricks ! " On 17th August, 1855, Arthur Thomson issued the following letter to the Class from Bank of Scotland Court, Castle Street :— My Dear Sir,—Mr. Ogston of Ardoe has requested me to invite the Members of OUR CLASS to spend a day with him there, with the view of commencing an Annual Summer Meeting in the Country, and has named Friday next. 24th inst., on which day he hopes you will give him the pleasure of your Company at Dinner, at half-past four o'clock, after the enjoyment of a Daunder on the banks of the Dee.

It is a glorious day this morning. It quite makes me long to have been there, sixty years ago. WM. KEITH LEASK.

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A Day Minesweeping. By a Former Pupil. A quiet, stealthy movement in the cabin, followed, shortly afterwards, by the clattering of the rake and poker against the furnace bars of the boiler, awakens one to the fact that another day has dawned, and the fireman is raising steam. Sleepily we look at our wrist watch and find it is 4.30 a.m. Half-an-hour longer ! So we roll up in our blanket and snuggle in our bunk for our beauty sleep. Scarcely have we shut our eyes when the shout, "Show a leg there," and the scramble of eight men climbing out of their bunks thoroughly rouse us. Up on deck a bucket of sea water is tipped over us—Golly, doesn't it bite ! A good scrub down with a hard towel, into our clothes, and we are as warm as toast. The cook has poured out a steaming mug of cocoa for us, with which we wash down a slice of bread and butter an inch thick. Up on deck the air has a touch of frost in it, but the dawn is nigh, and the sky most beautiful. Just a gentle heave in the water, and no breeze—a perfect day for sweeping operations. A look round the fleet shows us everyone is getting ready, the crews moving around the deck, and the funnels belching out clouds of smoke. At 5.30 the air is disturbed by six winches heaving up anchor. Single line ahead we lead the gallant little fleet to sea once more, to sweep clear the path of the leviathans of our Navy, so that they, with their crews of 800 men, may not be trapped by one of those diabolical engines of modern warfare. Once out at sea, we hoist the signal to commence operations. Instantly five flags flutter to the yardarm, answering the order, and the boats take up their stations. Another string of flags signifies the course to be steered. The boats close, open out to the proper formation, and the sweeping begins. The watches are posted, and everything being set to satisfaction, we settle ourselves to whatever duties the day has brought us. At 8 o'clock the cook reports breakfast. The commander, the skipper, the mate, the chief engineer, the petty officer, and the writer sit down to a plain but wholesome meal. Thoroughly good fellows are those hardy fishermen of the sea. We were inclined to believe what we heard in our civilian days, that those sons of the sea were a ruffian, drunken set. But how different do we find them as shipmates ! They are a decent, hardworking, and willing class of fellows, performing their dangerous duties with a sangfroid and cheerfulness absolutely amazing. When one considers that at the lightest touch on one of those deadly mines a stout trawler is blown to smithereens, and of a crew of thirteen, in cases where a mine has been fouled, rarely have more than three men been saved, one cannot but marvel at the gallant fellows cheerfully doing their work with

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never a look of fear or anxiety on their faces. No wonder then that when these good lads get on shore they get merry and noisy. Who would grudge them their little frivolities? They rarely interfere with anyone even when " half seas over." After breakfast we get on deck. A speck on the horizon, with a wisp of filmy smoke signifies a destroyer coming up. Half an-hour later a dirty, grey, waspish looking destroyer bears broad on the port bow. Up goes the signal, " Destroyer close." The destroyer instantly swings towards us as if our signal had actuated the rudder. A semaphore message is sent reporting our day's work, which, in return, is clicked out by wireless to our base. All this in less time than it takes to write it. A little later up flutter two flags from our masthead, and every boat stops. Sweeps are slipped and the deck hands and watch go below for their breakfast. The heavy swell in the open sea, and ominous clouds over the land, indicate a change in the weather. At 11 o'clock we are shoving into a long rolling swell, and half-an-hour later we pass through a heavy rain squall. The outside boats are obliterated by the rain, but station is well kept by compass and the turn of the propeller. By 1 o'clock the sky has cleared, and the sun streams out, and only the heavy swell and leaden sky right astern are left to show what we have passed through, and the fleet puts about for harbour. A blank day, but the Channel is guaranteed clear for another 24 hours. Half-way from home a light, as bright as a heliograph, flashes out our pendant number. Up goes our answering pendant. Small rag as it is, the powerful glasses at the Coastguard Station see it at once. The message arouses our interest to a great pitch. " Submarine reported 12 miles S.E. by E. of , open out and search carefully." The signal is semaphored through the fleet (only we can read Morse), and boats are headed for the locality. Everybody is on the alert and a smart lookout is kept. In the distance six destroyers can be made out zig-zagging at a great pace. We carry out our instructions but nothing is sighted. Arriving in harbour, having done 90 sea miles, at 6.30 we repair on shore to indulge in the luxury of a hot bath at the hotel. Dinner at 7.30 o'clock, and at 9 o'clock the boat comes to the pier to take us on board. The day's work is set for the morrow, the newspapers read, and at 10 o'clock we are once more lying in our bunks being wooed to sleep by the gentle sway of the trawler. NOTE.—The regulations of the Service preclude our giving details of operations during war time. Later on we shall write another article for the Magazine, containing the more exciting work of minesweeping, with details of the actual catching and exploding of mines.

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A Visit to Sakkara. There were three of us, all Scotchmen, sick of the stifling atmosphere of Cairo streets during the torrid month of July. A day on the desert where the air was at least pure was what we needed, and we made our arrangements accordingly. By 8 o'clock in the morning we found ourselves at Helwan Station where our guide, Hassan, was awaiting us with three donkeys, gaily equipped with scarlet and gold saddle-cloths, as the Egyptian custom is, and in a few moments we were clear of the town and out on the first stretch of sand. Here, of course, we tested the paces of our wiry little steeds, for the sand was still firm underfoot, but as Hassan, who was running behind, insisted that we had a long way to go, We slowed down to a more sober pace out of regard for our donkeys and our guide. The morning breeze was fresh and cool, and we took in deep draughts of it, compensating ourselves for the weeks of breathing the vapid stuff which Cairo calls air. After the first scamper we struck a good road linking up the native villages and leading to the riverside. Here we dismounted and had a smoke while half-a-dozen Arabs seized our unwilling donkeys and dragged them into the ferryboat with much thumping and shouting and laughter. Our fellow-passengers, besides the donkeys and a forlorn cow, were mostly peasant-women carrying large baskets of fruit and vegetables on their heads. They were bound for a villagemarket which we passed a little later. Arrived at the other side we got out, thinking that we were now on the west bank of the Nile, but after a short ride through a grove of stately date-palms we came upon the river again. We were really on an island in the middle of the river. Consequently we had all to undergo the process of embarking and disembarking once again. To us this was a matter of indifference, but the poor donkeys hated it most heartily. After their second experience of it however they seemed to know that the worst was past, and they renewed their journey with some approach to eagerness. In a short time they had their reward, for very soon we reached the site of the ancient city of Memphis, where we called a halt. It was hard to realize that on this spot there had once stood the mighty city of remote antiquity. A few mounds of earth in the heart of a grove of palm trees, that was all which we saw at first to indicate the site of Memphis, one of the oldest of the cities of the world. Lying near the track is a colossal statue of Rameses II., and also a magnificent Sphinx unearthed by Flinders Petrie in 1912, but beyond these splendid relics there is little to recall the glory of the ancient

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city. On another day when we visited the site once occupied by Heliopolis we were much struck there also by the scarcity of ruins, but it has to be remembered that both those cities were literally used as quarries for hundreds of years to supply stones for the building of the later cities of Egypt. But if the splendour of Memphis is not visible at this date where the city of the living stood, it is still visibly commemorated in its city of the dead towards which we now turned. A ride of two miles brought us to the Necropolis of Memphis, that extraordinary cemetery stretching for miles across the desert between Sakkara and the great Pyramids of Gizeh. Here in Sakkara, the city of tombs, the dead of Memphis were buried, both man and beast if they were con' sidered worthy of burial at all. Some of the tombs are Pyramids, still standing proudly above the sands which have threatened to cover them for thousands of years; some are chambers which have been discovered completely hidden beneath the level of the sand; but comparatively few have yet been excavated, and down in the heart of those desert hummocks and ridges extending in every direction there must be streets and streets of tombs, tombs of men and women, tombs too of bulls, of cats and dogs, and even of birds. In the centre of this vast Pyramid field stands the oldest of them all, the Step Pyramid of Sakkara, which is supposed to be the oldest stone building in existence. It is not so majestic as the Gizeh Pyramids, yet in its loneliness and in its suggestion of hidden knowledge far removed from us it made us feel as though we were intruding even by looking upon it. But more wonderful in some ways even than the Pyramids are the interiors of the underground tombs. On the walls are found the most delicate and beautiful carvings of scenes from the everyday life of that ancient civilization. The decorations are wonderfully preserved even to the finest details, and as we looked at them we found it difficult to believe that the work was done thousands of years ago. On the walls of the tomb of Ti there are representations amongst other scenes of occupations such as the making of pottery, baking, brewing, the slaughtering of oxen, the rowing of boats, dancing, wood and metal working, and the dispensing of justice. All these pictures are marvellously executed and are most charming to see. There is a great variety in the scenes depicted on the walls of the different tombs and it would require an expert Egyptologist to describe them, but it was obvious to anyone that there were in these underground chambers invaluable records of the manners and customs of an early civilization. After visiting some of the very ancient tombs we rode to the Serapeum, another burial place, separated in time from those we had already seen by some two thousand years. It

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was staggering to think that the gap in time between the building of the Step Pyramid and the cutting out of the Serapeum was as great as the gap between the making of the Serapeum and the present day. Yet in the 7th century B.c., just as in the year 3000 B.c., Memphis was still a city and Sakkara was still its burying-place. A description of this strange rock-hewn cavern where the sacred bulls were placed within their sarcophagi would need an article to itself. Great must have been the excitement and awe of M. Mariette when in 1850 he discovered and entered this uncanny place. By the time we had finished our inspection we were ready for rest and lunch, both of which we had in Mariette's house. Then out we went again, into the sun and the sand, and away back to Cairo by the way we had come. (Note.—The author of the foregoing, Mr. PETER DrAcx (1904-09), M.A., was recently engaged for several months in Y.M.C.A. work in Cairo among the troops of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.—Ed. A.G.S. Magazine I

Attacked by a Submarine. Mr. HERBERT TOWER SORLEY (1899-1909), M.A., of the Indian Civil Service, was in December a passenger to Bombay by the Ellerman liner " City of Marseilles," when the vessel was attacked by a German submarine in the Mediterranean. In the following extract from a letter the experience is vividly described :— " Tuesday was a fine morning, bright and clear, though the sea was just a little choppy. In the distance could be seen the hazy outline of Sardinia. Breakfast passed without a suspicion of danger After the meal I stood for some time on the starboard side of the ship watching the waves breaking in white spray and dazzling green eddies from the side of the vessel. I did not see the small black speck on the horizon which the captain had had his eye on for a quarter of an hour. I went forward to the front part of the ship to the promenade deck, slightly to port, and noticed, on looking-back, that we had made so sharp a turn that our wake was visible as a line of foam about fifty yards behind. I was standing with half-a-dozen others at the side when there was a loud report, and a shell struck the water not fifteen yards from where we were. It dropped into the sea like a cocoanut and failed to burst. If it had, I should not be writing this now. It was shrapnel shell, and if it had exploded, it would likely have picked off the whole group of us standing only a few yards away. At the same time another shell struck the water

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on the starboard side, only five yards from the ship's plates. Another burst right overhead, and fragments struck the bridge within a few feet of the captain's head. A splinter hit the deck not three yards from where we were standing, and made a slight mark. There was no panic. We knew we were being shelled by a German submarine, but everyone was cool and collected. There was no disorderly rush. All went quietly to the dining saloon, having first got their lifebelts and put them on. These are made of cork covered by whitened canvas cloth, and have to be first thrown over the head and then tied across the chest. It was a strange and never-to-be-forgotten sight to see those two hundred or so human beings, all, it might be, on the verge of a terrible calamity. The conduct of the women and children was splendid and beyond all praise: no crying, no screaming, no panic or pandemonium. Everyone did exactly as he or she was bid, and calmly waited for the worst. There is an Anglican minister on board, the Rev. A. J. Mortimore, who came forward and gave a short service of prayer all the time the danger was at its height. Now I come to the bit which I am afraid the censor will erase. We carry a gun on the stern, a 4.7, stronger and more effective than the 3-inch of the submarine. It is served by trained gunners. When the service was going on, this gun was barking out and making the whole ship vibrate with the booming as it tried to smash the submarine. It was a rich experience. I never felt less afraid in my life. I had just started " The Prisoner of Zenda," and when the service was over and the music of the last hymn had died away, I took the book up again and continued it. I did not realise the extent of the danger. This ship can do only sixteen knots an hour, whereas a submarine, when not submerged, can do twenty with the greatest of ease. As we sat there in the saloon listening to the shots booming out, we did not know but that the submarine was creeping on and on till it got within effective range for launching its deadly torpedo. In a minute we might all be in the water, amid what scenes of consternation and disaster! And yet I think the uppermost thought in my mind was one of levity, of disbelief in the reality of it all. We had lived ten days together in this floating hotel so happily that I could not picture in my imagination the whole thing going suddenly to the bottom and leaving behind it only one monstrous splash. I wasn't even troubled by uncertainty. There was no question of terror or fear, just bewilderment and a dazed sense of powerlessness, helplessness, impotence. The whole thing was so unlike the experience of the night of 8th September when the Zeppelins bombed London. This time the danger was immeasurably greater and the chances of escape infinitely

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less; but I must say that I was afraid on that occasion, and consumed by a dread that was totally absent on Tuesday. After we had sat half-an-hour or so in the saloon news was brought that the submarine had dived. This meant loss of speed, probably a drop to ten knots, while our speed had been increased by Herculean efforts on the part of the stokers to seventeen. All the time the ship steered a zig-zag course in order to give the Germans no time to aim for launching their torpedoes. About half-an-hour afterwards, it was now half-past ten on Tuesday morning, we got the joyful news that the submarine had run away from our gun, and that we were in wireless communication with an Italian cruiser. But we were told to keep lifebelts on all afternoon : as time went on and still there was no sign of the submarine the fear of danger passed away. The sole result of the dastardly attempt to destroy a passenger ship without warning was that lunch was delayed a quarter of an hour ! They say we are a phlegmatic race! The captain came along afterwards with the foot of the shell which almost hit him. He gave us some facts. He had seen the submarine quarter-of-an-hour before it began to shell us. It was then ten miles off, and the speck on the horizon, which was mistaken by those passengers who saw it for the sail of a small sailing boat, was declared by the captain to be a conning-tower, for the sun could be seen He did not know what shining on its polished surface. nationality the submarine was until it fired. In quarter-ofan-hour it had reduced the ten miles distance to three. There it shelled us, but we had been able by the gun to keep it off and then put it to flight. But for the gun there would have been another Lusitania disaster. The passengers have decided to present an address and a cheque to the captain and the crew for their bravery and good seamanship, and no reward was ever better deserved. Subscriptions amounting to £150 have already been collected. Only one casualty we had, and that was a slight wound above the eye which one of our gunners sustained from a splinter of shell. I never admired our race so much as on Tuesday. The courage, determination, and the valiant effort to look at the rosy side of things, so characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon peoples, were never better shown than in the conduct of those two hundred souls all silently waiting for the worst. The whole incident brought vividly to my memory Henley's glorious poem, ` England, my England '— ' Death is death ; but we shall die To the song on your bugles blown, England, To the stars on your bugles blown.'

That was the feeling one felt as one saw the British flag hoisted in defiance of the shells of the enemy."

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From Australia to Egypt and Gallipoli. PATRICK G. MARGETTS (1896-99), who was in business in Australia when the War broke out, joined the Australian Imperial Forces, and is now a sergeant in the 23rd Battalion 6th Infantry Brigade. He was wounded in action at the Dardanelles, but after being in hospital for a few days was able to rejoin. On 13th August, while still in Egypt, he wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Former Pupils' Club, who did not receive it until 28th October. In the course of this letter he says :— " Perhaps a brief resume of the last few months may be of interest. It's difficult to know how to start. Sufficient to say, anyhow, that most of the 6th Brigade A.I.F. have been training since March. " I joined in Melbourne, and had three months of a picnic (I didn't realise it then) at the training camp at Broadmeadows— about seven miles from Melbourne. There the training was the usual squad drill and musketry, with plenty of physical ' jerks' and occasional marches. Plenty of leave and plenty visitors, especially of the fair sex, kept us from getting stale. " In due time we sailed on the ' Ulysses ' and ' Euripides'. Embarked on the 8th May and landed at Alexandria on 12th June. A month's passage of sunny weather. Spent a day and a half at Colombo to coal, but no leave was granted. Came straight to Heliopolis (five miles from Cairo) from Alexandria, and have been here exactly nine weeks to-morrow. " The first few weeks were awful—sun, sand, and flies ! But now we've settled down to the inevitable—such like discomforts are part of the game. " Training is very strenuous, and the desert sand (our parade ground) makes it more so. A mile or two at first was the limit, but now there's no limit, even with packs up. We miss the hottest part of the day, and drill from 5 to 9 a.m. and 4.30 to 7.30 p m. A lecture fills in the forenoon-10.30 to 12, and a siesta the afternoon. Twice a week we have a route march and bivouac or night entrenching, and, of course, the advanced training. Heavy work, but Saturday afternoon and Sunday brings relief. No parades then, only church service on Sunday morning. " For the first few week-ends we were all keen to 'do' all the historic places round Cairo, and rushed here and there. What a change now ! The greatest pleasure is a cool drink and a long drowse on the green grass in the Ezbekiah Gardens in Cairo. We're simply saturated with sand, and a patch of grass is Heaven." The following is taken from a second letter, written in Gallipoli on 8th December :—

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"Thanks very much for your letter of 28th October and also for the Magazines; they arrived safely to-day. Haven't had a chance to dip into them yet but am looking forward to the first spare hour. Between duty in the firing-line and fatigues there aren't many spare hours, and they're mighty welcome when they do come along. " We've had fourteen weeks of trench warfare now and have earned the title of ' old hands.' Our post, 'Lonesome Pine,' was a pretty hot corner at first but has quietened down a lot of late. We seem to have gained the superiority of fire and gained Abdul's respect. Coming fresh as we did to relieve the first lot, and bringing a keen lot of men, we kept Abdul busy right from the jump. Our front trench is very close to his: from 10 to 30 yards the distance runs. Plenty chances for bombing, and we get our share—especially at night. During the day it is mostly sniping work. We get a glimpse of a figure ducking quickly past an open trench or a head bobbing over a parapet. Not much to fire at, but many a snapshot takes effect. Haven't altogether escaped myself. One morning I located a sniper in a rear trench and I'd my rifle up ready, when a bullet hit my rifle and I got a few splashes of lead in my head and shoulder. Had a few days of glorious rest in the beach hospital, so I didn't mind very much after all. "We haven't much view from our parapets. Ridge after ridge of brown earth—inoffensive looking—but field-glasses reveal trench after trench, strongly reinforced with sand bags and plenty of overhead cover. Abdul knows his work. "Every day there are artillery duels, but we're experts at diving into funk holes, and damage is usually blocked trenches. We can hear most shells coming except the `Seventy-fives'. They travel too fast, and the shell arrives at the same time as the explosion. Their aim is deadly, and our front trench is sometimes raked with scarcely a post missed. "Our dug outs at the rear of the firing-lines are snug little havens. At first there was a ledge hewn out of the trench wall just sufficient to sleep on, but now we're prepared for winter conditions and we've dug little rooms, each with a fireplace and a slush lamp. Unfortunately we don't get much chance of a spell there. The system is forty-eight hours in the firing-line and forty-eight out. The latter forty eight is practically all fatigues and various guard duties. Given a chance we get busy on cooking little extras as a change from the eternal bully beef and biscuits. We get a flour issue and that means pancakes and scones. With the help of an onion bully beef rissoles make a tasty dish. The more ambitious manage a suet pudding occasionally—heavy, but mighty satisfying ! "The various warships are a continual source of interest. We're situated on top of one of the many ridges running right up from the sea and have a clear view of any new movement.

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It's an impressive sight to see a hillside go up in dust and smoke as the result of a continuous rain of broadsides. Scarcely ever does the thunder cease, being sometimes on our right and sometimes on our left. At night we can see the black hulk of a monitor creep close in and ' swing round her aching searchlight'. The occasional roar of her big gun effectively prevents any surprise attack along the shore. " Weather conditions so far have been good. Just one real deluge of rain and a two days' snowstorm—mighty uncomfortable while it lasted and giving an idea of what winter will be like. " It's a hard, rough sort of life, but, as you say, training tells, and we're fit and aye ready for the job. " Many thanks again for the Magazines. I'll be able to keep in touch with old pals temporarily lost sight of."

Suum Cuique. " So that I have ever been of the opinion of the antient Ethnick Poet, Ovidius, who saith : Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine Musas Ducit, et immemores non sinit esse sui. Mantua Virgilio gaudet, Verona Catullo, Paelignie gentis gloria dicar ego." Description of the Chanonry, Cathedral and King's College of Old Aberdeen in the years 1724 and 1725. (London, 1772, p. 36.) By William Orem.

" When sparrows build and leaves break forth, My old love wakes and cries." Like mine, that never ran on flowers, Or birds and sunny skies. A little town of one scant street, Lashed by the wind and rain ; With no great beauty in her face, Old, wrinkled, poor, and plain. No pleasant land of drowsyhed, No city prankt in June, No languid air as if the coast Seemed always afternoon. Where are her songs of Spring ? Ay, where? She knows no notes like these ; And deep moans round with scudding drifts And rainy Hyades. What if that selfsame Ethnick By his own Sulmo swore, As Mantua and Verona Had others sung before ? 'Twas but their fond illusion, Mere strained poetic art: O City of deep-wading moons, 0 City of my heart! W. K. L.

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Well begun is half done! We shall therefore begin by wishing all our readers a happy and most prosperous New Year. The Christmas holidays are long over, leaving us with pleasant memories not unaccompanied by wishes that the weather had been more seasonable. It was excellent in its way, but most of us should have preferred snow. We, however, in person, enjoyed these few days as well as ever, if not better. The usual " Debater " festivities are things of the past, so also are the Christmas examinations, which were, on the whole, not so bad as they might have been. And now, after these reminiscences, let us proceed to the slightly more satisfactory occupation of looking forward. Shortly after the publication of these pages the whole of the Upper School will be in the throes of the " Leavings," and some may have already survived the University " Prelims." But let those who dread their advent console themselves with the fact that on the horizon, rather far distant it is true, but fast approaching, are the Easter holidays. Then, of course, we must not forget to mention the Bursary Competition. It will probably be over by the time that the next number of the Magazine is issued. We hope that the School will figure high in the list. Best of luck to all the competitors ! We take this, our first, opportunity of sending our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Knox, who has been gazetted The School, a Second Lieutenant in the 3/4th Gordons. especially the Classical side, will feel his absence considerably. What would the " Classicals " have done without Mr. Knox's help in the matter of Latin and Greek? Everyone will welcome him back when he has, to use his own word, " paid the Hun his mark." *

An account is given elsewhere of Judicial Night and the Sing-Song, two of the popular events on the syllabus of the Debating Society, but a few remarks here will not be inappropriate. The magnitude of the crowd which gathered in

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the School on Judicial Night was sufficiently proved by the state of the atmosphere at the end of the proceedings. So we see that our admonitions in our previous Notes were not all in vain. Much skill was shown by the counsel in their tactful examination of the witnesses. Our thanks are due to the judge, who performed his duties with great dignity both in speech and in bearing, as if these duties were part of his ordinary vocation. The witnesses made up for their lack of important evidence by their striking costumes : the prisoner's apparel was also rather remarkable. The Christmas Eve Sing-Song was, of course, the usual " howling " success. Solos, duets, and choruses were rendered amidst great enthusiasm. One enterprising member brought a mandolin, and another a violin, both of which helped to swell the noise. Although our customary pianist, now Lieutenant Hyslop, was unable to be present, his place was taken, in turn, by some of our budding musicians. In spite of the weather the serenading of the members of the staff was a great success.

The Society has had a very successful season up to the present. Every Friday Room 4 is filled with an eager mob, whose silence during the lectures is accentuated by the cheers of delight at the close. The debating part of the programme has had varied success. On some nights debates are carried on with great animation, but, on other occasions, few subjects are suggested which can be profitably discussed. The brains of the younger members are not exactly overflowing with ideas, and, when ideas are put forward, they are not altogether remarkable for originality. It is not the object of the Society to discuss the probable reason for the ruddy tint of the nasal organ of a certain Office-Bearer. The football XV. has been more successful than might have been expected under the circumstances. Although most of the players are rather diminutive, there are one or two notable exceptions, as opposing forwards have found in the scrums. Several matches have been played, with gratifying results. The match played at Montrose— But we must not trespass on the Sports Editor's confines. Notes of the matches played will be found on another page. There is still plenty of time to join the School Library. The lack of interest shown by the older boys in this " deserving institution " is really extraordinary. The " Sixth " is the only class in the School in which over half of the pupils are members of the Library. The Lower School has done very

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well also, although it cannot beat that record. We have an idea that if non-members would examine the shelves they would very soon find out the mistake they are making. 1

Fain would we enter a paragraph here concerning that " fellow of infinite jest," the Literary Editor. We find that, in his pages, he extends mercy to no one. Is it not fair, therefore, that those at whom his shafts of wit are levelled should get an opportunity of hitting back ? But no ! we must refrain. Such a theme as that is far too humorous for " School Notes " ; we hereby inform him that, if it were our privilege to write about something " funny," we know what would provide us with a subject for our discourse. :,,„Ts

r a

Here end our second " School Notes." We hope that, before the time comes for us to settle down once more, ruffle our editorial hair and excogitate for the last time some notes to be recorded in this Magazine, we shall be in a more congenial frame of mind for our heavy duties. Verily, the post of Editor is no sinecure.

Random Notes. A certain poet has told us that "In the Spring a young man's fancy

Lightly turns to thoughts of love."

But this is not so at the Grammar School. In the spring the faces of the seniors become pale and haggard—they appear as though their owners were being gradually beaten down by the billows of " a sea of troubles." The said owners " sip no sup, nor crave no crumb,". but the reason is not because they " sigh for the love of a ladye." No, it is because ahead of them looms a long vista of calamities—Leavings, H.M. Inspectors, the Bursary Comp. Added to these are the cruel aspersions made by certain of the staff on the industry of their pupils. Could the masters but know how those pupils brood over such slights, and how many sleepless nights are caused by them, wild horses would not avail to drag a further harsh word from them. It is rumoured that during the Christmas holidays a hockey team was formed in connection with the School; that quite a number of matches were played ; that members of the team waxed very enthusiastic; as a grand climax, that the opposing teams were occasionally of the opposite sex! We have it on excellent authority that these rumours are true, but—will they pass the censor ? We can picture the portly elders of the School madly precipitating themselves through oleaginous mud in quest of

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

the elusive " pill." (Such, we believe, is the cognomen used by the lads of the village to designate the hockey ball.) What a relief from chasing through Greek lexicons in search of the equally elusive irregular verb ! What a holiday from racking their brains to discover the meaning of a meaningless equation in Analytical Geometry ! We venture to assert that Horace's enjoyment of his Sabine farm and fine old crusted Falernian was as dust in the balance when compared with the delight of those toil-worn seniors spending their mornings in the Park. The Christmas holidays opened this year under most favourable auspices. On Christmas Eve the Sing-Song was held, and afterwards—more maiorum—most of the masters were serenaded. Carlton Place was, for some reason or other, exceptionally popular. A visit was paid to the Rector's at 11.15 p.m., a somewhat unusual hour for callers. The Rector's courtesy in coming out at that time was much appreciated. A member of the Modern side, on whom, we fear, Culture has had but little effect, pronounced it " dashed sporty." That was the general opinion of the multitude, although, of course, Classicals expressed it more politely. At last a jester has been discovered in the Sixth. This youth was, until a 'few months ago, a moderately quiet lad, with a pronounced taste for fisticuffs. But he has blossomed out amazingly, until now he seriously affects the gravity of the rest of the class with his untimely gibes. The Classical authors he has selected as the main butt for his shafts of wit. With malicious dexterity he distorts the most serious sentences into grotesque caricatures of humour, until his nearest neighbour circumspectly belabours him with his " personal fist." For a time this latest panderer to the laughter-craving mob had a war-cry, which he uttered on every possible occasion. " It takes a long time," was heard in Room I. about ten times an hour. On being requested to open a window this sorry wag would immediately reply, " Yes, sir—takes a long time, sir." But he has one accomplishment; he, and he alone, can effectively jamb the door against the wintery blast. This he does with the duster so securely that it takes at least three to open the door to our bi-diurnal visitor. The School has recently suffered a severe loss in the This lad was no secession of one of its record-breakers. common " pot-hunter "—his creed was that it is more blessed to give than to receive. His record consisted in being late seventeen times out of a possible twenty-five, a magnificent achievement which aroused a spirit of emulation among his fellows. Among the archives of the School reposes—or should repose—a signed statement of his, repeated some few hundred times in his own peerless caligraphy, to wit, " I must be punctual for prayers." Truly a noble conception of duty !

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The Debating Society is still in a flourishing condition. The members speak with enthusiasm and energy, though it must be confessed that there is a tendency to indulge in personalities. In fact, on some evenings, the proceedings bear a faint resemblance to the polite conversation of the " At Home " described in Book I. of the " Iliad." As, for example :— "The mighty Prater, D. S. W-lk•r, rose, His dark soul filled with fury, and his eyes Flashing like flames of fire, and spake harsh words. To whom G. T-gg-rt, interrupting thus, ' Thou sot, with eye of dog and heart of deer, Thou shalt not me persuade with winged words.' Thus while he spake Phil L-wr-nce chafed with rage. But while in mind and spirit thus he mused, And script him for the fray, came stalking in The Janitor, by Juno doubtless sent, Who bore him forth, unmovCd by his cries." (With apologies to the late Lord Derby.)

Some time in December a collection was taken in the School to provide Aberdeen mine-sweepers at the Dardanelles with tobacco and cigarettes—delights as yet unknown to us except by repute. These presents evoked a considerable number of letters of thanks, most of them very interesting. One writer, however, had the misfortune to address his acknowledgments to the " children " of the Grammar School. His letter was read aloud after prayers. The dread word was heard. A gasp of incredulity swept through the Hall. Many wondered whether they were still in the throes of a nightmare —one can never be sure when work starts in the middle of the night. But no ! the word was repeated, and a storm of hisses rose from the back of the Hall. Even the seniors, battered into premature age, permitted themselves a smile. One or two Moderns have been sporting khaki armlets lately, probably in the hope that they would thus be immune from the indignity of further punishment. It certainly would not be the thing for a master to use his strap on one of the defenders of our country. Another master has left us to help strafe Prussians. We hope he is most successful. While he was here he had much popularity and well-developed biceps. These gifts ought to tell a lot in his new profession. The School undoubtedly has a fine Roll of Honour—everything from a Major-General up to a Special Constable, and from Boy Scouts down to D.S.O.'s —and one patriotic poet ! To correspondents :— ANXIOUS PATRIOT.—Keep calm. The prominent member of the Modern School who tried to blow himself up during the holidays is not a German spy. He is a scientist !

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

SWOT.—" If a circle whose radius equals the square root of the time taken by Ptolemy to solve Pythagoras' Theorem is circumscribed round a parallelopiped, what is the effect of Grimm's Law on a homogeneous function of X and Y ? (N.B. —Avoid carefully all final cretics.)" We give it up, but will propose it for debate next Friday evening.

School Football, 1915-1916.

Saturday, 23rd October.—The first match was played at the School on a good, hard pitch, against a team of officers and men of the 3/4th Gordon Highlanders. During the first half the play was very scrappy, and was chiefly confined to the forwards. Afterwards, however, there was more passing, and there were a few scores. The School forwards played well, especially Watt and Spark, although their opponents were much heavier. Officers, 14; School, 3. Saturday, 7th November.—On this date the School played 1st 'Varsity at King's. During the first half the game was keenly contested, but the heavy 'Varsity forwards greatly handicapped the School men. The 'Varsity scored repeatedly, while the School scored twice ' through M Stephen and Sorley. The second half was more equal, but the School did not score again, and the game finished in favour of the 'Varsity by 24-6. Stewart played a good game at back, while Sutherland and Stephen were best behind the scrum. 14th November—School v. Officers, 3rd Gordon Highlanders.—This game was played at the School on a sloppy pitch. The School were not at full strength, and shortly after the beginning Lieutenant Gillies unfortunately had his collar bone broken. The game was fast and clean, but at half-time the scores were 11-0 in favour of the Gordons. In the second half Stephen scored a magnificent try for the School, which Milne converted. Two other tries were made by the officers, and the game ended in their favour by 21-5. Watt, Thomson, W. Gordon and Benzie were good in the scrum, and Stephen in the backs. 21st November--School v. Gordon's College.—This game was contested on the School ground, which was very muddy. The Grammar were easily superior to the Gordons, and kept pressing all the time. They scored six tries through C. V. Spark, Ritchie, Walker, Stephen and Sorley, while Gordons scored one. Final results were :—School, 18; Gordons, 3. 28th November—School v. 'Varsity. —The School played at King's on a hard pitch. The 'Varsity again were much heavier than the School, but had some difficulty in opening the scoring. It was not long, however, before they got through, and they scored again and again. But the School managed to score two tries, one of which Sleigh converted, and the game ended in the 'Varsity winning by 35-8. Watt and C. V. Spark played well for the School. 4th December—Classical v. Modern.—This game was played at the School on a pitch hard with frost. The Classical were in the Modern's twenty-five all the time, and scored repeatedly. In the second half it was the same, but once or twice the Moderns got up to the Classical line. They r ever got through, however, and the game ended with 50-0 .in favour of the Classical. The Classical threes had a very good run which ended in Gray scoring a brilliant try. 29th January, 1916.—School v. Montrose Academy at Montrose. Result :--School, 28; Academy, 3. Two other matches were played with Gordon's College, both of which the School won. Results:—(1) School, 25; Gordons, 0. (2) School, 28; Gordons, 3. 5th February, 1916.—School v. 3rd Gordons' Officers. Result :— Officers, 19; School, 3. (Continued on page 133.)

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28th November-2nd School v. Second Gordon's College.—The School pressed from the start, and soon opened the scoring. There were some good runs by the threes, in two of which Riddell scored, since the School halves got the ball away every time. Gordons, however, scored once, but the try was not converted. The final result was:—School, 21; Gordons, 3. Benzie, McIntyre, and F. Sleigh played well in the forwards, while Riddell and J. Galloway were the best in the backs.

School Literary and Debating Society. 22nd October, 1915.—The Society met in Room IV., at 7 p.m., when an audience of about sixty members assembled to hear a lecture by Mr. G. M. Fraser, librarian, on " The Historical Topography of Aberdeen." Mr. Linklater presided, and introduced the lecturer. Mr. Fraser, whose knowledge of Aberdeen is probably unique, then delivered his lecture. He discussed Aberdeen in regard to its site, early inhabitants, its streets its history and commerce. The lecture was full of interest, and held the attention of the audience from start to finish. On the call of the Chairman, Mr. Fraser was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. " Impromptu Debates " occupied the rest of the evening. Some were very interesting, and discussion was well sustained. The meeting terminated at 9 o'clock. 29th October, 1915.-" Impromptu Debates " instead of " Magazine Night " occupied the evening, when the Society met in Room IV., at 7 o'clock. " Do we owe more to the Navy or Army? " was well sustained by the members. As there was no further debating the meeting terminated at 8.45. 5th November, 1915.—On this evening the Society met in Room IV., at 7 p.m., to hear a lecture by Mr. Munson, M.A., Honorary President, Mr. Linklater occupied the chair. entitled, " Borrow the Gipsy." The lecture was very instructive, and delivered in a very interesting manner. Mr. Murison gave a thorough account of Borrow's life, touching on his school life, his meetings and adventures with the gipsies, his travels in Russia, Spain and Portugal, and his exciting experiences while engaged in his travels. Readings from Borrow's books were interspersed throughout the lecture. At the close, a very hearty vote of thanks was awarded the lecturer for his enjoyable and instructive lecture, and a similar compliment was paid to the Chairman for presiding. A committee meeting was afterwards held to arrange for " Judicial Night." 12th November, 1915.—The Society assembled in Room IV., at 7 o'clock, under the presidency of Mr. Linklater. The business of the evening was a debate—" Is the Barbarian Happier than the Civilised Man? " Mr. Lawrence, who supported the affirmative, was unable to attend, and his paper was read by Mr. Sutherland. Mr. Smith then proceeded to deliver an excellent paper on behalf of the civilised man. Voting resulted in a large majority for Mr. Smith. "Impromptu Debates " were proposed and seconded, but as these were not well sustained a " Hat Night " was held, which ultimately proved one of the most successful yet held this session. Messrs. Riddell and Taggart were the chief speakers. The discipline of the British Navy and Army afforded good discussion. The meeting terminated at 9 o'clock. 19th November, 1915.—" A Tour in India," by Rev. Robert Forgan, B.D., was adjourned till 18th February, owing to the occupation of the Hall by the Girls' High School on this date. 26th November, 1915.—Rev. A. Austin Foster, M.A., delivered a most instructive lecture on Browning's " Paracelsus " to the members of the Society, who assembled in Room IV. Mr. Charles Davidson, M.A., presided over an attendance of seventy members. The lecturer gave an idea of Browning's life, a brief summary of the " Paracelsus " by dividing the poem into five distinct parts. To conclude, Mr.

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A berdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Foster gave many readings from the poem itself. The lecturer clearly impressed his audience by his fine rhetorical style, which was one of the features of his interesting lecture. Mr. Davidson then thanked the lecturer for his splendid address, and a vote of thanks was paid to the Chairman for presiding. There was no after meeting. 3rd December, 1915.—The meeting of this Society was held, as usual, in Room IV., at 7 o'clock. Mr. Walker, Vice-President, occupied the chair. " Impromptu Debates" occupied the evening and were in all respects better than those held on 29th October. Though most of the debates were poor and scrappy, the conduct of the members showed distinct improvement. "Is the Battleship or Submarine the greatest Naval Force?" " Will Lord Derby's Scheme prove a Success ?" " What of the Balkans and Gallipoli ?" proved the most interesting. The meeting dispersed at 9 o'clock. 10th December, 1915.-" In the Enemy's Country " was the subject of a very interesting lecture delivered by Mr. Middleton, B.A., Honorary Vice-President, to the members of the Society, who assembled in Room IV. Lieutenant Knox presided over an attendance of eighty members. The lecturer remarked on the many important towns which he had visited. He sketched the character and habits of the German people as illustrated by his many varied experiences in their country. He spoke of Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony, and their respective differences. A sense of humour pervaded the whole lecture, which added to its interest and value. On conclusion, Lieutenant Knox related his rather exciting experience in Leipzig, and thanked Mr. Middleton for his very enjoyable lecture. Mr. Linklater, on behalf of the Society, congratulated the Chairman on his lieutenancy, and also for his kindness in presiding. No general meeting was held afterwards. Arrangements were made for " Judicial Night." 17th December, 1915.—A report of " Judicial Night " can be seen on another page. 24th December, 1915.—" Sing-Song " was held on the above evening in Room IV., at the usual hour. Mr. Linklater presided over a large attendance. Several choruses were given, while Messrs. Ritchie and Sutherland delighted the audience by their solo singing. Duets and quartettes were also given, while thanks must be rendered to Messrs. McCallum and Ironside who so ably officiated at the piano. The meeting broke up about 9.45. 14th January, 1916.—" Art Treasures of Rome " was postponed till 3rd March, and no meeting was held on this date. 21st January, 1916.—There was no meeting on this evening owing to a Café Chantant which was held in the School. 28th January, 1916.—The Society held its meeting, as usual, on the above evening, in Room IV., at 7 o'clock. Under the presidency of Mr. Linklater, a most fascinating lecture was delivered by Mr. Charles Davidson, M.A., Honorary Vice-President, entitled, " Some Continental Experiences." In the course of his lecture he touched on some of the countries which he had visited. His description of bull-fighting, and his interesting information regarding places, peoples, and customs, was extremely educative. As an ideal lecturer Mr. Davidson was thoroughly enjoyed for his inimitable humour, his power of expression and description, and for his sensible arguments and principles. A very hearty vote of thanks was awarded. A meeting was afterwards held, but as the debates were poor and the members not at all enthusiastic, the meeting was dismissed at 9 o'clock.

The School Museum. Private Loriol Williamson has sent a French School History, with shrapnel embedded in it, picked up in the ruins of Festubert ; also a French infant's MS. book, from the same.

"Judicial Night" appears on page 135.

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Judicial Night. At 7 p.m. on Friday, the 17th December, in the year of grace 1915, a stranger in the Grammar School would have thought that he was in time to participate in a Band of Hope meeting, so dense was the assembled throng. But the sight of a jovial judge in flowing wig, stern-visaged counsel, a villainous-looking prisoner in the firm grip of two stalwart constables, and last, but not least [Ed. note.—Certainly not least !], a stately usher, would have convinced him that something of more import was afoot. It was, in fact, nothing less than the trial of Bill G. Algy, for the dastardly murder of a Special Constable. In grave and portentous polysyllables the learned judge declared the court open, and, without drawing breath, called on the senior counsel for the prosecution, who proceeded to state his case, slander poor Algy, and summon his first witness. The gently snoozing usher was rudely awakened. In sonorous tones he announced the arrival of Miss Ann I. Roumai, at whose bewitching appearance the whole court became wildly excited. Her evidence abounded in ambiguities, and, as she gave most of her attention to the brawny bobby who supported her right flank, was of little value. The next witness was one Tripey McPorker, a meat-purveyor, of vast and awe-inspiring rotundity. His evidence was swamped by long digressions on the subject of sausage architecture, but it was gathered that he had arrived on the scene of the murder just after the doing of the dread deed. Inspector Charles Chaplin gave evidence of the synchrony of his and the butcher's arrival. Then a low fellow, by name Bibulous Vodka Manhattan-Cocktail, a publican, and, it is feared, a sinner, was called in. He and Shiprow Sam, a disreputable fisherman, slandered the now dejected prisoner to their hearts content. The junior counsel for the defence then proceeded to praise the accused in glowing words, the extravagance of which was sadly to be deprecated in war-time. The first witness for the defence was Dr. Theophilus Woodrow Wilson D. Carr-Scarrer, who entered, accompanied by the corpse, which he certified to have been dead for at least three months. Death was, in his opinion, due to drifting down the plughole of a bath. This witness s lurid threats, violent language, and ensanguined countenance were in marked contrast to the quiet manner and pallid visage of the Rev. Matthew Mark Lukeanjohn. After various anxious enquiries as to the state of the judge's soul, the worthy gentleman diligently whitewashed the prisoner's character. Immediately afterwards, however, he had to be ejected for persistently setting fire to a large and well-seasoned briar. Quo facto, the court was enchanted by a delightful vision, Signorina Sarsaparilla di Macaroni, who proved to be a damsel of unstable affection, addicted to the casting of honeyed glances on all eligible males. After her, there slouched in a dissolute member of the honourable fraternity of swellmobsman, whose evidence was highly coloured in the. extreme. According to him, the character of the deceased was of the most pronounced Machiavellian, not to say Mephistophelean nature. The prisoner, who had made himself conspicuous all the evening by the brazenness of his lungs, was then given an opportunity to defend himself. His moving words and wildly tragic gestures were, however, of no avail. The jury decided that he was guilty. The judge assumed an expression of grim joy and the black cap, and sentenced the unfortunate Bill to total abstinence for life. ABIMELECH and ABIJAH.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

The Former Pupils' Club. List of New Members. Life Members. The following have become Life Members of the Club since the last issue of the Magazine :— Lieutenant W. A. Hunter, c/o 14 Golden Square, Aberdeen. Dr. H. Elkington Smith, Strathspey House, Fairfield, Manchester. James Y. Miller, Kobe, Japan. Lieutenant W. G. Jameson, Menie House, Belhelvie. Y. H. Loo, 1 Market Street, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, F.M.S. do., do., do. A. Loke, do., do., do. Y. C. Loo, G. Angus Mitchell, 4 Deemount Terrace, Aberdeen. Place, Aberdeen. Home, 60 Gladstone Lieutenant W. Hepburn Captain J. Vass Lorimer, King's Gate, Aberdeen. Alfred F. Milne, Taygrove, Dundee. R. J. Gilchrist, P O. Box 428, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A. John H. Taylor, 264 Broomhill Road, Aberdeen. 2nd Lieutenant Godfrey P. Geddes, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, British Expeditionary Force. Fred. W. Morgan, Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto. Rev. E. L. Denson, The Parsonage, Seremban, F. M.S. Captain A. R. Fraser, R.A.M.C., 11 Belgrave Terrace, Aberdeen.

Ordinary Members. The following have become Ordinary Members of the Club since the last issue of the Magazine:— W. J. Johnston, 71 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen. John G. Hay, 1 Sunnyside Walk, Aberdeen. Lieutenant B. F. Watson, R.N.R., H.M.S. Philomel, c/o G.P.O., London. Rev. J. Murray, 67 Surrey Street, Norwich. Donald Lamond, Jr., Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire. Norman Taggart, Ashley Lodge, Great Western Road, Aberdeen. John Doeg, 298 Great Western Road, Aberdeen. Haip T. Wee, Devanha House, Devanha Gardens, Aberdeen. Alexander E. Gammie, 30 Rosebery Street, Aberdeen. Gordon J. Hutcheson, 114 Osborne Place, Aberdeen. Robert D. Johnstone, 23 Church Street, Woodside. Edward G. Grafton, 68 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen.

A. Eric Bruce, 20 Rubislaw Den North, Aberdeen. Peter Cushnie, 6 West Mount Street, Aberdeen. Archibald C. Spark, The Manse, Glenbuchat. Dr. David Duncan, 14 Rubislaw Den North, Aberdeen. J. M. Gray, Mess 30, H.M.S. Campania, c/o G.P.O., London. Ernest R. Horne, 60 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen. J. Stewart Mitchell, 16 Louisville Avenue, Aberdeen. L. °tiling Smith, 31 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen. Thomas Collet, Inland Revenue Office, Elgin. John A. Rattray, 79 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen.

NOTICE.—Articles, letters, notes, verses, photographs, etc., intended for the June, 1916, issue of the "Magazine" should be sent, not later than 15th May, to MR. THEODORE WATT, 10 MORAY PLACE, ABERDEEN.

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for PARLOUR, BEDROOM, or KITCHEN. Endless Variety; all Sizes and Prices to suit every requirement. Bedsteads and Bedding in great variety. Cutlery by best Sheffield makers, at Lowest Prices. Incandescent Fittings, Mantles, Globes, Beaded Shades, etc., etc. 'PHONE 2174.

A VISIT WILL REPAY.

Grammar School Specialities, Navy Serge Football Shorts, wide cut, 2/11, 3/11. Cream Flannel Football Shorts, correct cut, 2/11, 4/6. Cream Knitted Sweaters, Polo Collar, 4/6, 5/6. Coloured Cashmere Jerseys, Newest Colours, 4/6, 5/6. Cream Viyella Jerseys, Buttoned Shoulder, 3/11, 416. White Wincey Shirts, detached Collar, 3/6, 3/11, 4/6.: White Net and Multe Shirts, Low Collar, 2/6, 2/11, 3/6. Navy Serge Eton Caps, Piped Red, White, Blue, 1 /-, 1/6. Also Self-Navy Serge Eton Caps, 1 /-, 1/6. Grammar School Cap Badges, 21d. each. Red, White, Blue Knitted Ties, 60. each. Red, White, Blue Elastic Belts, ed. each. Navy Cloth Tennis Jackets, Corded Red, White, Blue, 4/6,4/11,5/6. Boys' White Eton Collars, various depths, 6d. each; 2/9 half dozen. Youths' Soft Collars, Double or Polo style, 6d. each ; 2/9 half dozen. Youths' White Starched Collars, double style, various depths, ed. each ; 2/9 half dozen. .673-• • fr..••-•" -

OLIN FALCONER0C0 FAMOUS FOR A CENTURY& QUARTER FOR QUALITY&WALUE I

THE ROYAL ARCA ly , ABERDEEN .,

Established 1859.

Telephone 175o.

FOR

MILK and CREAM, BUTTER, EGGS, TEA CAKES, SCONES, & OATCAKES, TRY

FINDLAY'S DAIRY, 457 UNION STREET, & BRANCHES, ABERDEEN;

Also, THE SQUARE, CULTS. Established over a Century.

DAVIDSON BROTHERS, eabinetnialler9 anb Illpbolsterer6, CARPET WAREHOUSEMEN,

Removal Contractors & Complete House Furnishers,

131; UNION STREET, RBERDEEN. Works-45 and 47 CHAPEL STREET.

Visit

Moir's Hairdressing Saloons, 5 DEE STREET (Just off Union Street). First-class Assistants always in attendance i Business Hours—

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. MEMBER Saturday, 8 a.m. to I.3o p.m. FOR

'HE

A BOVE

Drawing

Instruments Materials,

and

picture framer anb 9 iirtOte' Colourman, SCHOOLHILL, ABERDEEN.

TAYLOR Telephone 2870.

GEDDES, 5/

Cobacco a Cigar /1Sercbant. All High-class Tobaccos, Cigars, and Cigarettes in perfect condition may be had at

• All kinds of Smokers' Requisites.

A large and varied Stock of Walking Sticks by the best London Makers. Agent for Loewe Pipes.

4.4

Union Street, Aberdeen.

478

NO ONE SHOULD BE WITHOUT AN

ELECTRIC POCKET LAMP A LIGHT WITHOUT DANGER OF FIRE. The cost is small, the convenience great. Come and see our large selection, from 1/- to 7/6.

George St., MILLER BROS ., 249 251 ABERDEEN . Telephone 2304.

All Fresh from Ellon Daily.

The Fountainhead for Fine Buchan Butter, Fresh Farm Eggs Fine Home-made Cheese, Fowls, Chickens, Rabbits, Ducklings, Jams (all own make), Honey (in Supers, 1 lb. and 2 lb.), Honey (in nice Tumblers).

MILNE, Ellon Stall, New Market, TELEPHONE 746. And Branch-404

f . NION STREET—Tel. 251.

JAMES FYFE & SON, PAINTERS & GLAZIERS, OFFICE & SHOWROOMS, 11 DEE ST. 'Phon,-, 304.

TPI.: Fyfe, Painters.

Best Quality of DRUGS, etc., at Lowest Cash Price.

JAMES D. DUNCAN, M.P.S., ebettiwt, Pbarmact61,

231 UNION STREET---231 Telephone 311.

WYLLIE

SON,

247 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. Agents for Ordnance Survey Maps. Booksellers, Army and Navy Stationers. Circulating Library in connection with Mudie's, of London. Engraving, Bookbinding, and Printing of every description. Fountain Pen Emporium. Premier House in the North of Scotland for the sale of Scottish Publications. Publishers and Proprietors of " The Aberdeen Book Lover." Telephone 402. Established 1814. Telegraphic Address : " Wyllie, Booksellers, Aberdeen.'

CAST=OFF CLOTHING. Mrs. M`CALL ) 50 UPPERKIRKGATE, ABERDEEN (Established over quarter of a century)

will wait upon Ladies and Gentlemen, and give Extreme Value for all Kinds of

LEFT-OFF CLOTHING,

OLD GOLD AND SILVER,

WORN-OUT JEWELLERY, SHEFFIELD PLATE,

TRINKETS,

FALSE TEETH,

FURS,

FURNITURE, etc., etc. BANKERS—North of Scotland and Town & County Bank, Ltd. Telephone No. 3002.

BUSINESS STRICTLY PRIVATE.

M. GERARD, JEWELLER

AND

SILVERSMITH,

411 UNION STREET (WEST •

Engagement and Wedding Rings. JEWELLERY OF EVERY DESCRIPTION; ALSO

Watches. Clocks, Silver and Electro-Plated Goods in Newest Designs, and Large Selection to choose from. Telephone 2533Y5.

iff

F EPEE , [ (f1

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL. (Founded previous to 1256.) Rector—H. F. MORLAND SIMPSON, M.A. (Cantab.), LL.D., F.B.A. Scot. The School, which is one of the Secondary Public Schools of Scotland, provides for Boys a complete course of study—Elementary and Secondary, Classical and Modern. The Lower School receives Boys of the Infant stage and upwards. The School contains excellent Laboratories—Chemical and Physical, Art Room, Workshop, Botanical Garden, Gymnasium, Library, and Reading Room. The situation of the School is open and healthy, within ten minutes of the Railway Station. There is a Cricket Field, and there are separate Playgrounds for the various departments. Boarders are received by several of the Masters. Information as to Fees, Scholarships, etc., is given in the School Prospectus, which may be had free on application to the CLERK of the SeHoot. BOARD, 22 Union Terrace, or to the Maros_

ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. Head Mistress--Miss LUCY L. WARD, B.A. (Lond.) The School, which is one of the Secondary Public Schools of Scotland, is organised in Three Departments—a Junior, an Intermediate, and a Secondary—the last combining Modern and University Sections. The Art and Music Departments are under highly qualified Masters and Governesses. Pupils are received from the age of Five Years. The recent additions, consisting of an elegant Hall, Cookery and Laundry Rooms, and a Suite of Laboratories of the most approved description for the teaching of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, make the School one of the best equipped in the country. A Library and Reading ROOM. and Luncheon Rooms are provided. The School occupies a spacious site in the West End of the City, within twelve minutes of the Railway Station. The Head Mistress can arrange for the Boarding of Pupils from a distance. Information as to Fees, Scholarships, etc., is given in the School Prospectus, which may be had free on application to the CLERK of the SCHOOL BOARD, 22 Union Terrace, or to the HEAD MISTRESS.

CAST-OFF CLOTHING AND OLD JEWELLERY WANTED.

Mr. and Mrs. D. McKAY, IS sel-tooL8166, Give Highest Prices for Ladies' and Gentlemen's Cast-off CLOTHING, OLD JEWELLERY, FALSE TEETH, OLD PLATE, &C. Either Mr. or Mrs. McICAY will call at your residence on receipt of Post Card or Telephone 2612.

BUSINESS STRICTLY PRIVATE. TELEPHONE 2612.

BANK REFERENCE.

Note Address-15 SCHOOLHILL. Bring or send your Cast-off Clothing to MoKay's, 15 Schoolhill.

When you are in need of ANYTHING in the Chemist's line

Telephone 1784, or call at

476 UNION STREET

(Between Rose Street and Holburn Junction) when your requirements will be attended to.

F. HAY

WILLIAM

<,6-X Chenit5t )~, (From Duncan Flockhart & Co., Edinburgh),

476 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. (Near Holburn Junction.)

FRED HARDIE, Photographic ErtiBt,

416 UNION ST., ABERDEEN, For every style of In- and Out-door Group, Composite Groups, and General Portraiture, etc., Ttlepho,u 851.

Popular

Prices.

Complete House Furnishers. Largest Stock in North District at

R. J. MACKENZIE, Ltd., 419

UNION

STREET,

ABERDEEN. KEEN PRICES.

BEST

WORK M A NSII I P.

Your Boys' Spring Outfits. R. K. Smith's Comfortable and Hard Wearing OVERCOATS are just the thing for your boys' Spring wear. They are in good style and perfectly tailored, and there is a large variety of materials and sizes from which to make selection. TWEED SUITS are another Seasonable requirement which are largely featured, and in fact you will do well to get the whole of your boys' outfits at R. K. Smith's. SCOUT'S UNIFORM and Equipment is a speciality of which we should like you to have a complete list. Please ask for one.

R. K. SMITH, Ltd., The King's Buildings, II3-119 Union Street (°Fasm " "te) ide 1 ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 677.

Telegrame—" Clothing, Aberdeen."

'Phone 158.

MARCHING BOOTS IN BLACK OR TAN. Prices, 1 6 /6 to 34/6. GUARANTEED WATERTIGHT. Specialist in

BROGUES and Heavy Walking Shoes.

----___

Leggings, Anklets, Gaiters, and Rubber Cavalry Boots. 1. 7'ABLISLIED FOR 01 ER RALF A CENTURY.

JOHN A. DUNN, 26 & 175 UNION ST., ABERDEEN. THE ROSEMOUNT PRESS, ABERDEEN.